How the body's immune system fights viruses in organs and blood
Human anti-viral immune responses in tissues and circulation
Researchers are mapping how immune cells in blood and different organs respond to viruses and vaccines across ages and sexes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11388575 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join or donate samples, my tissues and blood would help researchers map immune cells across the body using organ-donor tissue, blood from vaccinated people, and samples from multiple sclerosis patients on targeted drugs. They will use single-cell genomics, imaging, and computational tools to identify the types, functional states, and clonal signatures of T cells and dendritic cells in tissues and circulation. The team compares responses to viruses such as influenza, CMV, and SARS‑CoV‑2 and examines how age and sex influence those responses. This work aims to produce a comprehensive, body-wide picture of antiviral immunity that could point to better vaccines and treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who might be invited include organ or tissue donors, individuals who have received vaccines (including COVID-19 vaccines), and patients with multiple sclerosis receiving targeted immunotherapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to viral immunity or who cannot provide tissues or blood samples may not be directly involved or receive immediate benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal where and how protective immune cells work in the body, helping to design better vaccines and immune-targeted therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Similar single-cell and tissue-based immune mapping studies have revealed important immune patterns, but combining tissue resources, vaccine cohorts, and MS treatment groups across multiple viruses is a newer, broader approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farber, Donna L. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Farber, Donna L.
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.