How Special Immune Cells Protect Us from Infections
Understanding the functional agility of effector memory CD8 T cells
This research helps us understand how a special type of immune cell, called CD8 T cells, remembers past infections and quickly fights off new ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124681 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have amazing immune cells that remember past infections to protect us from getting sick again. This project focuses on a special kind of these 'memory' immune cells, called CD8 T cells, which are very good at fighting off viruses and bacteria throughout the body. We want to learn how these powerful cells find and fight infections in different tissues, how other immune signals influence them, and if they become even stronger when there's inflammation. By understanding these cells better, we hope to improve how we boost immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation but aims to benefit individuals susceptible to or recovering from viral and bacterial infections.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options for current infections would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to design vaccines or immune therapies that better protect people from serious infections.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon prior work by the researchers that identified these robust memory T cells, suggesting a foundation of existing knowledge in this area.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamilton Hart, Sara Elizabeth — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Hamilton Hart, Sara Elizabeth
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.