How T cells change from infancy to adulthood
Mapping infant and adult T cell immunity
Researchers will map where and how CD8+ T cells develop in lymph nodes from birth through adulthood to learn why infants and adults respond differently to infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261765 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will use advanced molecular and imaging tools to build a detailed atlas of CD8+ T cells in lymph nodes from newborns, children, and adults. The team will map the exact locations of T cells, identify which neighboring cells they interact with, and track how those patterns change with age. Investigators will compare early-life 'innate' niches near subcapsular macrophages with adult 'adaptive' niches in the paracortex to see how those differences affect immune protection. The work will rely on high-resolution spatial and molecular analyses of tissue samples to create a timeline of T cell development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people across age groups (with parental consent for infants/children) who can provide lymph node tissue or blood samples and are willing to participate in research at the study sites.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate treatments or cures should not expect direct medical benefit because this is basic research focused on mapping immune cells rather than testing a therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to improve infant immunity and guide better vaccine or therapy designs for different age groups.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and spatial atlases have successfully revealed important immune organization in tissues, but applying these methods across ages to map CD8+ T cell niches from birth to adulthood is novel.
Where this research is happening
Ithaca, United States
- Cornell University — Ithaca, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rudd, Brian David — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Rudd, Brian David
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.