Harnessing friendly probiotic particles to rebalance the immune system
Official title: Harnessing the Immunotherapeutic Potential of Probiotic Extracellular Vesicles
Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11396064 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study aims to use tiny particles from good bacteria to gently steer the immune system in people with autoimmune diseases or immune-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $754,366 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2AI207712-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396064 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with autoimmune diseases or immune-dysregulated conditions who may benefit from therapies that reprogram the immune system.
✕Less likely to help
Those with conditions not driven by immune dysregulation or with contraindications to hydrogel-based therapies may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how probiotic extracellular vesicles, delivered via a biocompatible hydrogel, can modulate immune responses outside the gut. Researchers hope to uncover exactly how these bacterial particles influence immune cells and tissue healing in peripheral areas. The work will translate findings from models to potential therapies that could offer targeted, durable immune reprogramming for autoimmune conditions. It focuses on mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels to pave the way for new treatment approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new, precise therapies that calm overactive immune responses and improve tissue healing for people with autoimmune and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work has shown probiotic EVs can modulate inflammation and tissue repair, but translating this to targeted human therapies is still in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia Univ New York Morningside
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Correa, Santiago — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Correa, Santiago
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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.