How infections and cancer change cell metabolism over time
Official title: A Predictive Modeling Framework to Dissect the Dynamic Immunometabolic Responses to Pathogenic infection and the Kinetic Reprogramming of Metabolism in Cancer Cell System
Funded at University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-11144409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using computer models to track how infections and cancer change cell metabolism to help people with cancer or infectious diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $360,899 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM143009-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cancer or recent infectious illnesses who can provide biological samples (such as blood or tumor tissue) or share clinical data may be appropriate contributors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking an immediate new therapy are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this modeling-focused project.
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team will build a large computer model that combines data about immune cells, pathogens, and tumor cells to map metabolic changes over time. They will draw on laboratory measurements and published data to set reaction rates and simulate how metabolism shifts during infection or cancer progression. The model will be used to look for metabolic weak points in tumors or failures in immune responses that treatments might target. The researchers will refine the model iteratively to better match experimental and clinical findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new treatment targets or ways to strengthen immune responses for people with cancer or infections.
How similar studies have gone: Related metabolic and computer-modeling studies have provided useful insights, but this comprehensive, full-scale integrative modeling approach is relatively new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saha, Rajib — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Saha, Rajib
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.