Understanding how mechanical forces affect immune cell behavior
Official title: Establishing an immune mechanome
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-10917250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the physical forces in our body tissues affect immune cells, which could help us understand diseases better and find new ways to treat them, especially for those with inflammatory conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $391,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151041-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve inflammatory responses or immune system dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-inflammatory conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mechanical forces in tissues influence the behavior of immune cells, which is crucial for understanding disease progression and treatment resistance. By using advanced engineering tools and techniques, the study will explore immune cell responses at various scales, from single cells to entire organs. The research aims to establish a new framework called the immune mechanome, which will help clarify the relationship between tissue mechanics and immune function. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to improved treatments for inflammatory diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that enhance immune responses in various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of establishing an immune mechanome is novel, related research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to mechanical forces.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Datta, Meenal — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Datta, Meenal
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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.