NIH-funded research R21 grant

Testing how immune cells interact with blood vessels

Official title: High-throughput nanoIEA-based Assay for Screening Immune Cell-Vascular Interactions

Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10830332 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how immune cells and blood vessels work together during infections and inflammation, and it aims to create a new test to better understand these interactions, which could help us learn more about how problems with blood vessels might lead to autoimmune diseases and ongoing inflammation.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCornell University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ithaca, United States)
Project startApril 19, 2023
Project endMarch 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$237,913
NIH project number5R21AI168886-02
Project IDNIH-10830332 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases or chronic inflammatory conditions.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-autoimmune related conditions or those without any inflammatory diseases may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the interactions between immune cells and blood vessels, focusing on how blood vessels change during infections and inflammation. It aims to develop a new high-throughput assay that can accurately measure these interactions in a controlled environment, which includes the alignment of endothelial cells and their connections with immune cells. By improving our understanding of these processes, the research seeks to identify how vascular dysfunction contributes to autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatments for autoimmune diseases by enhancing our understanding of immune cell behavior and blood vessel function.

How similar studies have gone: While the approach is innovative, similar research has shown promise in understanding immune interactions, indicating potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Cornell University
    Ithaca, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lee, Esak — Cornell University
  • Study coordinator: Lee, Esak

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.