How neutrophils (immune cells) move and act in the nose
Neutrophil Dynamics in Nasal Mucosa
Researchers are tracking how neutrophils in the nasal lining move and respond to infections to better understand protection of the airways.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284078 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a special live-imaging method to watch neutrophils and other immune cells inside the nasal passages, mainly in laboratory models, to see where they come from and how they behave at rest and during infection. Scientists will map different subregions of the nose, follow cell movement over time, and look at how local microbes and pathogens influence immune responses. The goal is to identify the cellular players and mechanisms that start and regulate defenses in the nasal mucosa, which is often the first site of airway infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with frequent nasal or sinus infections, chronic rhinosinusitis, or those willing to donate nasal samples could be the most directly relevant to this line of research.
Not a fit: People without nasal or airway problems or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets or strategies to prevent or better treat nasal and airway infections by modulating neutrophil responses.
How similar studies have performed: Live-cell imaging has uncovered important immune behaviors in other tissues, but applying these techniques to the nasal mucosa is relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Von Andrian, Ulrich H — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Von Andrian, Ulrich H
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.