Investigating red blood cell changes in chronic fatigue syndrome
Official title: Mechanophenotyping RBC subpopulations in ME/CFS
Funded at San Jose State University · NIH-11043930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how red blood cells work in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to see if there are any differences compared to healthy individuals, which could help improve diagnosis and treatment for the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Jose State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Jose, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $432,431 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL177762-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other unrelated conditions or those who do not have ME/CFS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how red blood cells (RBCs) behave in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). By examining the deformability of RBCs, the study aims to identify differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy individuals. The researchers will use advanced microfluidic technology to sort RBCs based on their ability to change shape and will analyze the metabolic and structural characteristics of these cells. This approach may help uncover biological markers for ME/CFS and improve diagnosis and treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for patients suffering from ME/CFS.
How similar studies have gone: While research on RBC deformability is ongoing, this specific approach to ME/CFS is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
San Jose State University
San Jose, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramasubramanian, Anand K — San Jose State University
- Study coordinator: Ramasubramanian, Anand K
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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.