Helping T cells recognize disease targets more precisely
Structural correlates of T cell receptor signaling
Designing molecules that teach a patient's T cells to find or ignore specific disease targets to help people with autoimmune conditions, cancer, or infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291073 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how a person's T cells recognize small bits of proteins (peptides) presented by MHC molecules and uses that structural knowledge to design new molecules that change T cell responses. Researchers use a lab technique called yeast peptide-MHC display to find the exact peptides a T cell recognizes, including previously 'orphan' receptors. They are improving this screening method and using the results to engineer three complementary antigen-specific immunotherapies that could either dampen harmful T cells in autoimmunity or boost helpful T cells against cancer or infections. Most work is done in the lab but could lead to trials or sample-collection opportunities where patients may be able to participate in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune diseases where specific T cell targets are suspected, or patients with cancers or infections linked to known T cell targets, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose conditions are not driven by T cells, or those needing immediate clinical treatment, may not benefit directly from this primarily laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable more precise immunotherapies that turn off disease-causing T cells or boost protective T cells with fewer side effects than broad immune suppression.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches like engineered T-cell therapies (for example, TCR therapies and CAR-T) have succeeded in some cancers, but applying detailed structural TCR insights to autoimmune therapies is more novel.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia, Kenan Christopher — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Garcia, Kenan Christopher
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.