TIR domain biology in cell death and immunity
Official title: Mechanisms of Toll/interleukin1 receptor (TIR) domain function in cell death and immunity
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11387566 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist-led project explores how a common protein domain (TIR) controls cell death and immune responses across plants, animals, and microbes to inform new strategies for human health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $375,759 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM158290-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387566 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with degenerative neurological disorders or immune-related conditions may benefit from future therapies informed by this work.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is unlikely during early basic-science studies; applicability will depend on future translational steps.
What this research studies
This project studies a shared domain found in many organisms that powers cell death and immune signaling. Researchers will map how TIR enzymes process nucleotides and generate signals that regulate immunity, including in human-relevant contexts. The work uses comparative biology to uncover universal principles that could lead to new approaches for treating infections, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases. The long-term goal is to translate basic insights into strategies that modulate immune responses and cell death in clinically relevant settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: New insights into immune signaling could lead to novel therapies that control infections or inflammatory damage in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown conserved roles for TIR domains across kingdoms, supporting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nishimura, Marc Tad — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Nishimura, Marc Tad
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.