Understanding how specific immune cells interact with gut bacteria
Official title: Building tools to study commensal-specific CD8+ T cells in the small intestine
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11118533 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the small intestine work with good bacteria to keep our gut healthy, and it could help us understand how to prevent gut-related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $86,650 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AI190880-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118533 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with autoimmune conditions or inflammatory bowel diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-autoimmune gastrointestinal disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of commensal-specific CD8+ T cells in the small intestine, focusing on how these immune cells interact with beneficial gut bacteria. By developing new mouse models, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that regulate these immune responses and their impact on gut health. The findings could provide insights into how these immune cells help maintain a healthy balance of gut microbiota and prevent diseases related to gut inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease by enhancing our understanding of gut immunity.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to gut microbiota, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrison, Oliver James — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Harrison, Oliver James
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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.