How B cells switch on to make antibodies
Epigenetic regulation of early B cell differentiation
This project looks at how immune B cells change molecular 'tags' so they become antibody-making cells after infection or vaccination.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327282 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work follows how B cells change during repeated cell divisions and how epigenetic 'on/off' marks guide them to become antibody-secreting cells or memory B cells. Scientists will map gene activity and epigenetic marks across those divisions using laboratory models and molecular profiling techniques. The team aims to link those early programs to the strength and longevity of antibody responses after infection or vaccination. Understanding these switches could point to ways to make vaccines and antibody-based therapies work better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people willing to provide blood samples after infection or vaccination, particularly those recently recovered from COVID-19 or recently vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2.
Not a fit: People who need immediate clinical treatment, have conditions unrelated to immune responses, or cannot provide samples or travel to the study site are unlikely to gain direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design vaccines or immune therapies that produce stronger and longer-lasting antibody protection.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has defined key transcription factors and some epigenetic changes in B cells, but detailed division-by-division epigenetic mapping of fate decisions is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boss, Jeremy M. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Boss, Jeremy M.
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.