How lymph node 'neighborhoods' shape immune responses to vaccines and infections
The Roles of Lymphoid Tissue Microenvironments in Guiding the Immune Response
This project looks at how different neighborhoods inside lymph nodes guide the immune system's response to vaccines and infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307087 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're following this research, you'll learn how researchers use advanced 3D imaging to map immune cells inside lymph nodes and see how different 'neighborhoods' form during vaccines or infections. They track how innate immune cell areas change during different types of inflammation (Type‑I versus Type‑II) and how those areas influence early T cell behavior. The team uses quantitative, three‑dimensional imaging tools developed in prior work to capture cells and molecular signals in space and time. These maps aim to show where protective or misdirected immune responses begin and how they are programmed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People receiving vaccines, those with active infections, or individuals able to donate lymph node or blood samples for research would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People with health issues unrelated to immune responses or those unable to provide tissue or blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help researchers design better vaccines and immune therapies by revealing where and how T cells are programmed inside lymph nodes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior imaging work by this team and others has revealed organized immune cell patterns in lymph nodes, but linking specific microenvironments to distinct T cell programs is relatively new and still being developed.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerner, Michael — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Gerner, Michael
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.