Understanding how pH affects the movement of immune cells
Official title: Elucidating the role of luminal pH in regulating phagosome transport
Funded at University of Michigan at Dearborn · NIH-10849962 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the acidity inside immune cells affects their movement and ability to fight off germs, focusing on a protein called NHE9, which could help us find new ways to boost our immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Dearborn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dearborn, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $156,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R16GM153701-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10849962 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by pathogens like Mycobacteria, Salmonella, or Candida.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-infectious conditions or those not affected by the studied pathogens may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the acidity inside immune cell compartments, called phagosomes, influences their movement and function. By studying the role of a specific protein, NHE9, the researchers aim to uncover how changes in pH can affect the transport of phagosomes within cells. This could lead to new strategies for enhancing the immune response against various pathogens that exploit these mechanisms. The research employs advanced techniques to observe and manipulate phagosome behavior in a controlled laboratory setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for infections caused by bacteria and fungi that evade the immune system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding cellular mechanisms like phagosome transport can lead to significant advancements in treating infectious diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Dearborn
Dearborn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kondapalli, Kalyan C — University of Michigan at Dearborn
- Study coordinator: Kondapalli, Kalyan C
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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.