Investigating how age affects T cell signaling and immune response
Official title: Proteome-wide base editor screens to assess phosphorylation site functionality in immunosenescence
Funded at La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-11072080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in T cells, which are important for our immune system, affect their ability to fight off illnesses as we get older, and it aims to find ways to boost their strength in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $509,593 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279795-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing weakened immune responses or those interested in adoptive cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have issues related to immune senescence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the complex signaling pathways in T cells, particularly how phosphorylation events influence their function as we age. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR-mediated base editing and mass spectrometry, the study aims to identify and assess thousands of phosphorylation sites that play a crucial role in T cell activity. This could help uncover why older adults experience weakened immune responses, particularly against cancer and infections. The goal is to develop new strategies to enhance T cell function in aging populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immune therapies for older adults, enhancing their ability to fight infections and cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized CRISPR and mass spectrometry to analyze cellular processes, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myers, Sam Anthony — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Myers, Sam Anthony
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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.