How immune cells send signals and a new single-cell test to read them
Understanding robust cellular information processing in complex environments and development of enabling single-cell analysis technologies
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11290427
This project builds new single-cell tests to read how immune and other cells send, remember, and vary their signals, aiming to help people with infections, autoimmune diseases, sepsis, and cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290427 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will watch individual immune and epithelial cells over time to see how they make and release signaling proteins called cytokines. They will use microfluidic chips, live-cell imaging, single-cell protein secretion assays, and sequencing to measure proteins, protein complexes, and mRNA from the same cell. Computational models will be used alongside experiments to explain how prior exposures are remembered, how groups of cells coordinate responses, and why some cells produce excessive cytokines. The work combines new measurement technologies and theory to better understand signaling in infection, autoimmunity, sepsis, and cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections, autoimmune disorders, sepsis, or cancers who can provide blood or tissue samples may be suitable to contribute samples or take part in future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to immune signaling or those unable or unwilling to provide biological samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better ways to detect, predict, or target harmful immune reactions in infections, autoimmune diseases, sepsis, and some cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and microfluidic methods have improved understanding of immune responses, but combining real-time secretion assays with sequencing and protein-complex measurements is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TAY, SAVAS — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: TAY, SAVAS
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: Cancers