Understanding How Immune Cells Find and Attack Targets
CONTROL OF T CELL SYNAPSE STABILIZATION AND SIGNALING
['FUNDING_R37'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11158770
This project aims to better understand how our immune T cells recognize and respond to threats, which could help improve future cell-based treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11158770 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Our immune system's T cells are crucial for fighting diseases, but we still need to learn more about how they find and interact with their targets. This work looks at how T cell receptors, which are like tiny sensors on the cell surface, are organized and move within the cell membrane. Researchers are engineering T cells and their targets to see how these arrangements affect their ability to activate and perform their job. By changing how T cells interact with other cells, we hope to make them more effective in treating illnesses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to improve future cellular therapies for individuals with conditions that could benefit from enhanced T cell function, such as certain cancers or autoimmune diseases.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this basic science project, as it focuses on fundamental biological mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and precise T cell-based therapies for various diseases, including those involving the immune system.
How similar studies have performed: While the basic signaling pathways of T cells are well-described, this specific approach of engineering T cell membrane organization for improved function represents a novel and less explored area.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KRUMMEL, MATTHEW F — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: KRUMMEL, MATTHEW F
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.