How the feel (stiffness and ‘give’) of growing materials changes CAR‑T cell quality
Viscoelasticity and T Cell Production
Researchers will change how stiff and how 'springy' the materials are when growing CAR‑T cells to find out how that affects T cells made for people with leukemias and lymphomas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11229585 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may hear scientists talk about growing CAR‑T cells outside the body before they are given to patients. In this work, researchers will vary both the stiffness and the time‑dependent 'give' (viscoelasticity) of the materials used to activate and expand T cells and then look at how those conditions shape T‑cell types, growth, and cancer‑killing ability. They will study the cells in lab experiments and test functional effects in animal models to connect material properties with CAR‑T persistence and potency. The goal is to use those findings to guide better ways of manufacturing CAR‑T therapies that are stronger and longer‑lasting.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with CD19‑positive B‑cell leukemias or lymphomas who are candidates for or interested in CAR‑T therapy are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not express CD19, those not eligible for CAR‑T therapy, or people with unrelated non‑cancer conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve the strength and durability of CAR‑T treatments for blood cancers and help make them work better overall.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show matrix stiffness affects stem cells and some T‑cell behaviors, but applying matrix viscoelasticity to CAR‑T manufacturing is a novel and less tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Harvard University — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mooney, David J — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Mooney, David J
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.