Engineered, long-lasting cell therapies to treat chronic diseases
Official title: Engineering cell-based therapy for enhanced survival and durable function in vivo
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11334324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists at Mayo Clinic Arizona are creating off-the-shelf, engineered cells that act as tiny, living drug factories to treat diseases like hemophilia, diabetes, and liver disorders, while shielding them from the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM155031-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11334324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with chronic diseases like hemophilia, diabetes, or liver disorders who might benefit from a durable, cell-based therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not related to chronic protein deficiencies or who cannot undergo cell transplantation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop durable, encapsulated cell therapies that continuously secrete therapeutic proteins after being transplanted. By focusing on both cell engineering and immune-protective encapsulation, the work seeks to overcome the body’s defenses and the challenging in vivo environment that have limited long-term success. The team will explore how grafted cells interact with the immune system and how to keep them functioning in the body without systemic immunosuppression. The research combines cellular engineering with biomaterials to create a protective, functional graft that can provide a steady supply of therapeutic proteins over time. The ultimate goal is a safe, long-lasting cell-based treatment for multiple chronic diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive long-term, self-sustaining therapy from transplanted, engineered cells without ongoing immunosuppression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has advanced encapsulation and cell therapy tools, but long-term functional success in humans remains challenging and is being actively pursued here.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bose, Suman — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Bose, Suman
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.