Mitochondria-meets-phagosomes: how cell powerhouses help dendritic cells fight infections
Official title: Mitochondrial solute carriers on phagosomes in dendritic cells
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11441358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short project will explore how mitochondria and phagosomes talk to each other in dendritic cells to support immune defense against bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $78,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AI202317-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with conditions affecting dendritic cell function or immune responses, or healthy volunteers for cellular studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without conditions affecting dendritic cell biology or immune signaling may derive indirect benefits but not direct clinical advantages from this basic research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how mitochondria interact with phagosomes in dendritic cells, a type of immune cell that helps start the body’s longer-term defense. It will examine the molecular players and contact sites that may ferry metabolites and signals between these organelles during bacterial killing. The researchers will use cellular systems to map where these interactions occur and how they influence antigen presentation. Understanding this crosstalk could reveal new ways to boost immune responses or modulate inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to enhance antibacterial defenses and improve immune activation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mitochondria-phagosome interactions influence immune function, but work in dendritic cells is emerging and may yield novel insights.
Where this research is happening
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Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mantegazza, Adriana Rita — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Mantegazza, Adriana Rita
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.