Understanding how immune cells respond to signals and make decisions
Quantitative control of phosphorylation and mechanistic links to immune cell decisions
This research explores how our immune cells use chemical signals to decide how to act, which is important for keeping our bodies healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11105970 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cells in our body, especially immune cells, constantly receive messages from their surroundings. This research looks at how these messages, like those from cytokines, change the cell's internal chemistry through a process called phosphorylation. These chemical changes then tell the cell which genes to turn on or off, influencing whether the immune cell acts in a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory way. By understanding these detailed steps, we hope to learn how to guide immune cells towards healthy responses. This work uses advanced methods to connect these dynamic chemical signals to the cell's overall gene activity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but future studies building on this knowledge might seek individuals with immune-related conditions.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to control immune responses, potentially helping with inflammatory diseases or improving how our bodies fight infections.
How similar studies have performed: While the general area of cell signaling is well-studied, this project proposes novel data-driven and mechanistic modeling approaches to integrate dynamic signaling with gene expression in a comprehensive way.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gottschalk, Rachel a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gottschalk, Rachel a
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.