Understanding how COVID-19 variants affect brain and immune responses
Official title: Leveraging iPSC technology to understand neuro-immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11073091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19, especially different variants of the virus, can affect the brain and immune system over time, to help understand why some people experience lingering symptoms after recovering from the illness, often called Long COVID.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS136877-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced COVID-19, especially those with lingering neurological or psychiatric symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or those without any post-acute sequelae symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term neurological and psychiatric effects of COVID-19, particularly focusing on how different variants of the virus impact brain and immune cell interactions. Using advanced stem cell technology, the team will create 3D brain organoids and microglia from human induced pluripotent stem cells to study these interactions in detail. The goal is to uncover the specific cellular mechanisms that lead to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, commonly known as Long COVID. By examining how the virus affects these cells, the research aims to provide insights into the underlying causes of persistent symptoms experienced by some patients after COVID-19 infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients suffering from Long COVID.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the neuroimmune responses to viral infections, but this specific approach using iPSC technology is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wen, Zhexing — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Wen, Zhexing
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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.