Finding hidden antibodies in seronegative myasthenia gravis
Project 3
The team uses advanced antibody-detection methods to look for unseen immune targets in people with seronegative myasthenia gravis to help explain their muscle weakness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171997 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG), researchers will screen large libraries of human proteins with high-throughput antibody-discovery tools to find antibodies standard tests may miss. They will analyze blood samples to identify new antibody targets and study how those antibodies could harm the neuromuscular junction. The project will also explore immune mechanisms that cause antibody-mediated damage to muscles. The goal is to improve diagnosis and include seronegative patients in future treatment trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with seronegative myasthenia gravis—those who have MG symptoms but no detectable standard autoantibodies—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without MG or those already known to have typical autoantibody-positive MG are unlikely to benefit directly from this project's focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to better tests and more targeted treatments for people with seronegative MG.
How similar studies have performed: High-throughput autoantibody profiling has uncovered new targets in other autoimmune diseases, but applying these methods specifically to seronegative MG is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- George Washington University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Kevin C — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Kevin C
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 below.