Understanding how T cells develop and respond to infections at different ages
Official title: Mapping infant and adult T cell immunity
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-11105029 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a special type of immune cell called CD8+ T cells gets activated in the lymph nodes as we grow from babies to adults, and it aims to find ways to boost the immune responses in young children to help them fight infections better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | January 21, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $693,465 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI189855-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105029 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children, as well as adults, who may benefit from enhanced immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older adults or those with pre-existing immune conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how CD8+ T cells, a type of immune cell, are activated in the lymph nodes during different stages of life, from infancy to adulthood. By creating a detailed molecular atlas, the study aims to uncover the changes in T cell development and their interactions with other cells in the lymph nodes. This knowledge could help in developing new strategies to enhance immune responses in young children, particularly in how they respond to infections. The research employs advanced technologies to visualize and analyze T cell behavior and organization in the lymph nodes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for boosting immunity in infants and young children, potentially reducing their susceptibility to infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding T cell development, but this specific approach to mapping changes across different ages is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rudd, Brian David — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Rudd, Brian David
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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.