Glycan signals in neutrophils and pneumonia risk after brain injury
Official title: The Role of Neutrophil Glycosylation in Susceptibility to Pneumonia After Traumatic Brain Injury
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11451948 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how immune Cells in people with brain injury may become more prone to pneumonia due to changes in sugars on their cells, with the goal of preventing infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $191,484 |
| NIH project number | 1K08AI197049-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451948 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have suffered traumatic brain injury and are at risk for pneumonia, particularly those with signs of immune dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without brain injury or those not at risk for pneumonia would not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
After a traumatic brain injury, patients are at high risk for serious lung infections like pneumonia. This project focuses on neutrophils and how their sugar molecules (glycans) may change after injury and affect the body's first-line defense against lung bacteria. By studying the link between brain injury–related immune changes and pneumonia, researchers hope to identify new ways to prevent infection. The work combines clinical observations with laboratory analyses to uncover actionable targets for preventing pneumonia in this vulnerable group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to reduce pneumonia risk and improve survival for people with traumatic brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests neutrophil function and glycan patterns influence infection risk, but this specific brain-injury–driven glycomic mechanism is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seshadri, Anupamaa — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Seshadri, Anupamaa
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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.