Investigating how immune cells communicate and secrete proteins
Official title: Nanoplasmonic Spatiotemporal Imaging of Single-Cell Protein Secretion and Intercellular Communication
Funded at New York University · NIH-10935968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how immune cells communicate by releasing special proteins, and it's using a new imaging technique to see this process in real-time, which could lead to better treatments for infections and other immune-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,819 |
| NIH project number | 5R21GM151528-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10935968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with immune system disorders or those undergoing treatment for conditions that affect immune cell function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-immune related conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the behavior of individual immune cells, particularly how they secrete proteins called cytokines that are crucial for cell communication. By developing a novel imaging technique using plasmonic nanoantenna structures, the study aims to capture real-time data on the timing and spatial dynamics of cytokine release. This approach will help researchers gain insights into the interactions between different immune cell types and improve our understanding of immune responses. Patients may benefit from advancements in immunology and infectious disease diagnosis stemming from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools and therapies for immune-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach is innovative, similar research has shown promise in understanding immune cell interactions, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kurabayashi, Katsuo — New York University
- Study coordinator: Kurabayashi, Katsuo
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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.