Lymph-node-like hydrogels to reprogram immune T cells
Lymph node inspired hydrogels for immune cell reprogramming
Making 3-D scaffolds that mimic lymph nodes to help create better therapeutic T cells for people with autoimmune and other immune-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321630 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The research team is building 3-D biomaterials that mimic lymph nodes using DNA origami, colloids, and supramolecular hydrogels to program T cells outside the body. The goal is to recreate the natural signals T cells receive so engineered cells can be produced faster, cheaper, and with higher quality than current methods. Scientists will test these scaffolds in lab-grown cells and animal models and may use donated human blood or tissue samples to refine how T cells are instructed. If successful, this early-stage lab work could make personalized T cell therapies more available for people with autoimmune diseases and other immune disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune disorders who might be future candidates for antigen-specific T cell therapies or who are willing to donate blood or tissue samples for related research.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to immune-system dysfunction or those seeking an immediately available treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this early-stage laboratory project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could make personalized T cell therapies faster, less expensive, and more reliable for autoimmune and other immune-related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Related biomimetic scaffold approaches have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies but remain largely experimental with limited clinical application to date.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia Univ New York Morningside — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Correa, Santiago — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Correa, Santiago
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 below.