Measuring how well B cells respond to influenza infection
Official title: Assessing functional immunity to influenza infection by quantifying BCR binding avidities
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11048194 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well certain immune cells called B cells can recognize and fight off different types of the flu virus, which could help improve vaccines and keep you better protected against the flu.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | November 13, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $811,009 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI183645-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048194 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have had previous influenza infections or vaccinations and are interested in understanding their immune response.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to influenza or its vaccines may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune response of B cells to influenza by developing a new tool to measure how effectively these cells can bind to the virus. It focuses on understanding the functionality of memory B cells, which are crucial for long-term immunity, especially against mutated strains of the virus. By using a microfluidic platform, the study aims to capture the binding strength of B cells to various influenza variants, which could inform vaccine updates and improve patient protection. The approach combines advanced techniques like flow cytometry and microfluidics to provide direct insights into B cell responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better vaccines and treatments for influenza and similar viral infections, enhancing patient immunity.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in measuring B cell responses, but this specific approach using microfluidics is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: George, Steven Carl — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: George, Steven Carl
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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.