IL-9 Signaling and Immune-Driven Preterm Birth
Official title: The Role of IL-9 Signaling in Immune-Mediated Preterm Birth
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11452359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant supports training a physician-scientist to lead a new lab studying how immune signals, especially IL-9, affect preterm birth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $82,214 |
| NIH project number | 1K08HD119291-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11452359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research pertains to pregnancy biology and would involve human subjects only if translated to future clinical studies; currently it is a preclinical training project.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant individuals not involved in future clinical testing may not directly benefit from this basic/translational research during training.
What this research studies
This award trains Dr. Jacquelyn Lajiness to become an independent PI in reproductive immunology, with mentorship and career guidance. The project will explore how IL-9 signaling and regulatory T cells influence the timing of birth, using mouse models and advanced sequencing techniques. The ultimate goal is to understand mechanisms that could prevent immune-driven preterm birth and improve maternal-fetal health. The training includes honing scientific writing, lab management, and experimental design to translate findings toward clinical impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining knowledge about IL-9’s role could lead to new strategies to prevent preterm birth and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in immune regulation and pregnancy have shown that cytokine signaling can influence gestation timing, supporting potential translational advances.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lajiness, Jacquelyn D — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Lajiness, Jacquelyn D
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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.