Understanding how immune cells protect the gut from infections
Official title: Coordination of T cell-derived signals in intestinal epithelial barrier defense
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11042780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells called T cells help keep the intestines of young children safe from infections that can cause diarrhea, with the goal of finding new ways to treat these illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $35,641 |
| NIH project number | 5F30DK135345-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young children under 11 years old who are at risk for diarrheal illnesses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or do not have a history of diarrheal diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific immune cells, particularly T cells, help protect the intestinal barrier from infections, especially in young children who are vulnerable to diarrheal diseases. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms that recruit these T cells to the intestinal lining and how they interact with intestinal cells to provide protective signals. By exploring these interactions, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic targets for treating diarrheal illnesses and inflammatory bowel disease. The approach combines molecular biology techniques to study cell signaling and immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance gut protection and reduce the incidence of diarrheal diseases in children.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in the gut, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Christopher Garrett — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Christopher Garrett
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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.