Engineered macrophages for tracking and controlling inflammation
Official title: Probing inflammation dynamics via multi-modal tracking and control of engineered macrophages
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11380982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to create and test specially engineered macrophages that can be seen with different imaging methods and used to control inflammation in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $400,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160097-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with inflammatory or immune-related conditions or those who could benefit from future macrophage-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without inflammatory conditions or those unlikely to participate in imaging or cell-based interventions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to reveal how inflammation starts and progresses by using engineered macrophages that can be tracked in real time with ultrasound, MRI, and optical imaging. It will develop methods to visualize macrophage movement and their role in inflammation, and to actively modulate their activity to maintain healthy immune responses. Researchers will test these macrophages in animal models to validate non-invasive imaging and control techniques, and will explore how these cells can deliver precise inflammatory signals. The work is designed to lay groundwork for future therapies that fine-tune the immune response to prevent tissue damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to image and modulate inflammation in patients, potentially improving treatment of inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that imaging and controlling immune cells can influence inflammatory outcomes, though this exact engineered-macrophage approach is advancing the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Tao — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Sun, Tao
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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.