Endosomal RNA/DNA Sensors in Brain Disease
Official title: Dissecting roles for nucleic acid sensing pathways in demyelinating disease
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11449420 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team at a major medical school is studying how endosomal nucleic acid sensors in brain immune cells may drive inflammation in diseases like Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $551,557 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS146994-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449420 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related neurodegenerative conditions, or those at risk, whose data or samples are used in analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without neurodegenerative disease are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how endosomal toll-like receptors in brain microglia respond to debris containing DNA and RNA and whether this triggers harmful inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. By using mouse models and human brain tissue samples, the team will map where these sensors are active and how they influence disease progression. The findings could point to new ways to reduce damaging inflammation and potentially slow neurodegeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to reduce brain inflammation and slow progression of diseases like Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows microglial inflammation is linked to neurodegeneration, but the role of endosomal sensors is still being clarified, making this a promising but exploratory area.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schafer, Dorothy Patricia — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Schafer, Dorothy Patricia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding HIV-1 Env shapes to boost immune attack against infected cells
Aimed at helping people living with HIV, this project explores how specific HIV-1 envelope structures attract or resist immune attack so future therapies could better help the body clear hidden virus.
-
Reprogramming metabolism to power alternative fat-burning modes
A new project will explore how fat cells burn calories in different ways to help combat obesity.
-
Silencing an Extra Chromosome to Help Down Syndrome and Related Conditions
A patient-friendly plan to use a gene-based approach to quiet an extra chromosome in cells and a mouse model to reduce disease-related effects in Down syndrome and other chromosomal imbalance disorders.
-
Gut microbes and brain function in autism
Researchers are exploring how gut bacteria may influence brain signals and behavior in autism, using worm models to uncover possible links that could someday inform human therapies.
-
Chlamydia and gonorrhea interaction: how host interferons influence co-infection
A human-health focused project looks at how the body’s interferon signals during chlamydia infection affect the way gonorrhea behaves, with potential implications for people vulnerable to both infections.
-
Conquering High Blood Pressure in Vietnamese Cities
A program to adapt and test a proven plan for lowering high blood pressure in urban Vietnam using a mobile health platform and integrated care approach.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.