How the BIN1 gene in brain immune cells affects Alzheimer's and inflammation
Microglial function of GWAS risk factor BIN1 in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and inflammatory signaling
This project looks at whether changes in the BIN1 gene inside brain immune cells change inflammation and disease processes in people with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11297661 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies the BIN1 gene in microglia, the brain’s immune cells, to see how it influences inflammation and Alzheimer-related changes. The team uses cultured microglia and microglia-specific knockout mice to observe what happens when BIN1 is reduced or altered. They perform transcriptomic (gene activity) analyses to track inflammatory pathways and links with other Alzheimer-associated genes such as APOE and TREM2. Results will clarify how BIN1 controls immune responses in the brain and point toward pathways that could be explored for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people living with Alzheimer's disease or older adults at genetic risk who might be invited to provide samples or join future related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's or those without BIN1-related genetic risk are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic science-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to reduce harmful brain inflammation in Alzheimer's and guide future treatment development.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked BIN1 to Alzheimer's risk and its expression in microglia, but functional studies are limited, so this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thinakaran, Gopal — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Thinakaran, Gopal
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.