Tools to control immune cell signals in lung inflammation
Synthetic Biology and Optogenetics Core
Researchers are building and using light-controlled and engineered molecules to turn immune cell signals on or off so future treatments could help people with lung inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172562 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The project team develops engineered molecular tools and optogenetic systems that let scientists control specific signals inside macrophages with precise timing and location. They will test and refine these tools in lab-grown immune cells and in mouse models of lung inflammation to make sure they work reliably. Core staff will create protocols, troubleshoot experiments, and share ready-to-use reagents with other labs in the program so research can move faster. Over time this work aims to make it easier to pinpoint how immune signals drive lung injury and recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this project does not enroll patients directly, people with inflammatory lung conditions such as acute lung injury, ARDS, COPD, or severe pneumonia are the kinds of patients who might benefit from therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients without lung inflammation or whose conditions are unrelated to macrophage-driven inflammation are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new ways to target immune cells and reduce harmful lung inflammation, paving the way for more precise therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Optogenetics and synthetic biology approaches have worked well in neuroscience and cell biology, but applying them to control macrophages in lung inflammation is relatively new and not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karginov, Andrei V — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Karginov, Andrei V
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.