Investigating how certain cells in the nose respond to allergens
Official title: Allergen-elicited signaling cascades in olfactory microvillous tuft cells
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11101365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special cells in your nose that help detect allergens and trigger allergic reactions, with the goal of finding out how they contribute to airway inflammation, which could lead to better treatments for allergies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 3, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $215,850 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI185057-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from allergic diseases, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any history of allergies or respiratory conditions may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on specialized cells in the nasal mucosa that play a role in detecting allergens and initiating inflammatory responses. By studying the signaling pathways of olfactory microvillous tuft cells, the research aims to understand how these cells contribute to airway inflammation and allergic reactions. The approach includes in vitro experiments to observe how these cells respond to allergens and other signals, potentially leading to new insights into allergic diseases. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how allergies affect the respiratory system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for allergic diseases and improved management of airway inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on olfactory microvillous tuft cells is novel, similar research on airway inflammation and allergic responses has shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bankova, Lora — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bankova, Lora
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.