Novel AI-powered pathway to find targets in Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Official title: A novel pipeline for antigen discovery in Guillain-Barré Syndrome using single-cell TCR data and AI-based ligand prediction
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11453744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-driven approach aims to identify specific immune targets in Guillain-Barré Syndrome using single-cell T-cell data to better understand what drives nerve damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $234,006 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS150176-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11453744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome or related acute autoimmune neuropathies who have CSF samples available for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to CSF sampling or those with non-autoimmune neuropathies may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses single-cell TCR sequencing from cerebrospinal fluid to map immune cells involved in Guillain-Barré Syndrome. It leverages an artificial intelligence platform to predict how immune receptors might recognize nerve-related molecules, pointing to precise targets. By focusing on the CSF—the fluid around the brain and spinal cord—the study aims to uncover disease-driving interactions that blood samples miss. If successful, the work could guide the development of targeted therapies that address the root cause of nerve injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach succeeds, patients could benefit from more precise treatments that target disease-causing immune interactions rather than broad immune suppression.
How similar studies have gone: Early single-cell and AI-based methods have shown promise in mapping autoimmune responses, but applying them to CSF in GBS is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akkaya, Billur — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Akkaya, Billur
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.