Training immune cells to fight infections more effectively
Official title: Training human iPSC-derived neutrophils for antimicrobial function
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11097284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make a type of immune cell called neutrophils even better at fighting infections by using special stem cells, which could help improve treatments for patients who need a stronger immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI184357-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with compromised immune systems or those at high risk for infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully functional immune systems or those not at risk for infections may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the function of neutrophils, a type of immune cell crucial for fighting infections, by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The researchers aim to genetically program these neutrophils to improve their antimicrobial abilities and understand their diverse functions. By employing advanced techniques like single-cell multi-omics, they will explore the metabolic and genomic factors that influence neutrophil behavior, potentially leading to better treatments for infections. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how to boost their immune response against pathogens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies that enhance the immune response in patients, making them more effective at fighting infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using engineered immune cells for therapeutic purposes, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huttenlocher, Anna — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Huttenlocher, Anna
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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.