NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how B cells function in health and disease

Official title: Unraveling the functional diversity of B cells in health and disease

Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10898058 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how B cells, which help our immune system fight infections and manage allergies, behave in different health situations, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how these cells work to improve treatments for conditions like autoimmune diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Chicago
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project startAugust 2, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$492,000
NIH project number5DP2AI177884-02
Project IDNIH-10898058 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with autoimmune diseases, allergies, or infections where B cell activity is a significant factor.

Less likely to help

Patients without any B cell-related conditions or those who do not have a significant immune response may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the diverse roles of B cells, which are crucial for our immune response, in conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, and allergies. By utilizing advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the study aims to analyze the behavior and characteristics of individual B cells in various biological contexts. The researchers will develop new computational tools to better understand B cell development and their spatial activity, ultimately applying these insights to clinical scenarios like antibody responses and inflammatory bowel disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of diseases related to B cell dysfunction, enhancing patient care.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced sequencing technologies to study immune cells, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Chicago
    Chicago, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Khan, Aly Azeem — University of Chicago
  • Study coordinator: Khan, Aly Azeem

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.