Neutrophils in lung and airway disease
Technology Core
This project will map different types of neutrophils in blood, airways, and lung tissue from people with lung infections or airway diseases to link immune cell patterns to symptoms and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11387529 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine immune cells called neutrophils from blood, airway samples, and lung tissue using advanced gene and protein mapping techniques that preserve where cells sit in the tissue (spatial transcriptomics and proteomics). They will combine new spatial data with existing single-cell sequencing libraries to define distinct neutrophil subtypes across compartments. The team will create targeted testing panels based on those findings so these neutrophil patterns can be measured in larger patient groups. This Technology Core supports other project teams so the immune patterns can be tied back to clinical features and disease outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with lung infections or airway diseases (for example pneumonia, COVID-19, COPD, or asthma) who can provide blood, airway samples, or tissue during clinical care or procedures.
Not a fit: People without lung or airway conditions, or those unable or unwilling to provide samples or attend study visits, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify neutrophil patterns that predict who is at risk for worse lung injury or who may recover better, helping guide more personalized care or new treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Recent single-cell and spatial biology studies have begun to reveal immune cell subtypes in lung disease, but applying these approaches specifically to neutrophils and linking them to patient outcomes is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dulai, Parambir Singh — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Dulai, Parambir Singh
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.