How chemical signals drive inflammation
Deciphering the role of chemical signals in inflammation with open microfluidic functional assays
This project looks at how tiny chemical messages from immune and other cells shape inflammation and might help people with allergic or chronic inflammatory conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11376341 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers grow human immune cells and nearby tissue cells in tiny, precisely arranged lab chambers so they can see which chemicals cells release when they interact. They combine these microfluidic co-culture systems with methods to sample volatile organic compounds produced by microbes and cells, and they are developing ways for people to collect biofluid samples at home to track immune responses over time. The current work focuses on signaling between eosinophils (a type of immune cell) and fibroblasts and on how mixes of molecules act together in the microenvironment. These tools are intended to reveal how cell-to-cell chemical messages drive inflammation and how microbes may change that conversation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with allergic or eosinophil-driven inflammatory conditions (for example asthma or eosinophilic disorders) and individuals willing to provide biological samples are the most likely participants or beneficiaries.
Not a fit: People with conditions that do not involve immune-driven inflammation or microbial interactions may not see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal chemical signals that cause or mark inflammation and point to new ways to diagnose, monitor, or treat inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Microfluidic co-culture and volatile-organic-compound sampling approaches have shown promising results in laboratory studies, but applying them to human inflammatory signaling and clinical use is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theberge, Ashleigh Brooks — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Theberge, Ashleigh Brooks
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.