Understanding how newborn immune cells fight infections
Analysis of cord blood Vd2 T cell differentiation and function using CITE-seq and ATAC-seq
This work looks at special immune cells in cord blood to learn how they protect babies from serious infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132997 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Babies are often more vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are still developing. This project focuses on a unique type of immune cell, called Vδ2 T cells, which seem to be ready to fight off many kinds of germs even before birth. We want to understand how these cells mature and function in newborns. By learning more about these powerful cells, we hope to find new ways to boost babies' immunity and improve how well vaccines work for them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work could ultimately benefit infants and young children who are susceptible to severe infections.
Not a fit: Patients outside of the infant and young child age group, or those without infectious disease concerns, would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for protecting infants from infectious diseases and improving vaccine effectiveness in early life.
How similar studies have performed: The role of Vδ2 cells against pathogens in early life is currently understudied, making this a novel approach to understanding infant immunity.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cairo, Cristiana — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Cairo, Cristiana
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.