Neutrophil Swarming to Fungal Invaders in Diabetes
Official title: The Characterization of Neutrophil Swarming to Fungal Pathogens Relevant to Diabetes Mellitus
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-11420014 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how a frontline immune cell, neutrophils, swarm around fungal invaders and how this behavior may be weaker in people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $142,785 |
| NIH project number | 1R16AI200913-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420014 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with diabetes or prediabetes whose immune systems may be compromised and who are at risk for invasive fungal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without immune dysfunction related to diabetes or without exposure to invasive fungal infections may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how neutrophils respond to common fungal pathogens that threaten people with diabetes, aiming to understand a newly observed swarming behavior. By examining this process in the context of diabetes and fungi like Candida and Aspergillus, the work seeks to uncover why antifungal therapies often fail and how swarming might be harnessed to improve defenses. The team will use biological assays and cell-based studies to characterize neutrophil movement, signaling, and interaction with fungal forms that challenge the immune system. Findings could guide future therapies that boost innate immunity and reduce infection severity in high-risk patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better strategies to enhance neutrophil defenses against fungal infections in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has begun to reveal neutrophil swarming as a defense mechanism, but its role in diabetes-related susceptibility and specific fungi requires confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hopke, Alex — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Hopke, Alex
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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.