How genes and antibody-making B cells change over time
Leveraging phylogenetic approaches to investigate the evolution of geneexpression
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · CORNELL UNIVERSITY · NIH-11143268
Researchers will use evolutionary methods to learn how gene activity and antibody-producing B cells have changed across species to improve understanding of immune responses for people affected by infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CORNELL UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ITHACA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11143268 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I were involved, researchers would compare gene expression patterns across species using evolutionary trees and computer models to see how gene activity changes over time. They will test and refine models tailored for functional genomic data and build a mechanistic model linking DNA changes near genes (promoters) to shifts in gene activity. The team will also analyze immunoglobulin (antibody) genes and B cell sequence data to trace how antibody recognition sequences evolve within and between species.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people willing to provide blood or antibody-related samples, including patients with recent or prior infections or healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct medical benefit because this is foundational research rather than a therapy trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could improve understanding of how antibody responses develop and guide better vaccine or therapeutic design for infectious diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related evolutionary and computational approaches have successfully described immune repertoires and gene expression patterns, although linking promoter sequence changes to expression evolution in this mechanistic way is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
ITHACA, UNITED STATES
- CORNELL UNIVERSITY — ITHACA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PENNELL, MATTHEW WESLEY — CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: PENNELL, MATTHEW WESLEY
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.
Conditions: Communicable Diseases