Non-invasive single-cell insights to make CAR T cells work better
Official title: Label-free imaging of CAR T cell metabolism
Funded at Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. · NIH-11370573 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A grant to develop non-invasive single-cell tools to identify and improve potent CAR T cell therapies for cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $646,040 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278051-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370573 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients whose cancer is treated with autologous CAR T cell therapy and whose T cells are assessed for suitability for manufacturing.
✕Less likely to help
If a patient’s T cells are not suitable for manufacturing or if the therapies fail to reach efficacy, they may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create gentle, non-destructive methods to study CAR T cells as they are prepared and used in cancer treatment. It will help choose patients whose T cells are best for manufacturing, improve laboratory production for stronger immune responses, and uncover metabolic traits that make CAR T cells more effective after infusion. The work focuses on enhancing potency while keeping manufacturing processes practical for clinical use. If successful, these advances could lead to more durable remissions for patients receiving CAR T cell therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more durable responses and better outcomes for patients receiving CAR T cell therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise in identifying T cell characteristics linked to better CAR T performance, but robust non-destructive monitoring tools are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skala, Melissa Caroline — Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Skala, Melissa Caroline
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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.