Understanding how the immune system remembers infections in humans
Official title: Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of innate immune memory in humans
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11107380 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in our bodies can remember past infections, helping them fight off future ones better, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how our immune system gets stronger over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $735,078 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI190301-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11107380 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with diverse genetic backgrounds, particularly those who have received vaccinations like the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been vaccinated or have underlying conditions that severely compromise their immune system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain immune cells in humans can develop a memory of past infections, allowing them to respond more effectively to future threats. It focuses on innate immune cells, such as monocytes and macrophages, which have been found to exhibit long-term memory and enhanced responses after being exposed to pathogens. The study will explore the specific genetic and epigenetic changes that enable this 'trained immunity' and how these changes can be passed down from stem cells to their differentiated immune cells. By utilizing advanced techniques in genomics and immunology, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved vaccines and therapies that enhance the immune response against infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding trained immunity, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barreiro, Luis Bruno — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Barreiro, Luis Bruno
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Education and violence: Can high-dosage tutoring reduce youth violence
A large study in Chicago schools will test whether high-dosage tutoring for students can lessen youth violence by improving learning and outcomes.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Lens proteins, cell stress, and cataracts in kids and adults
A study aims to understand how lens proteins and cellular stress contribute to cataracts, in both humans and mice, with the goal of guiding prevention or treatment.
-
Understanding how neurons keep their identity and function for life
Scientists are studying how nerve cells maintain their distinctive identity and function from development through aging, using human-derived neurons and a simple worm model to uncover the long-term control of brain cell behavior.
-
Cardiac Sarcomere Protein Quality Control in Health and Disease
A heart-focused study looking at how heart muscle proteins get misfolded and how the cell’s cleanup system might fix this to protect heart function.
-
Communication Bridge: Improving language therapy for people with primary progressive aphasia
A proven language-therapy program called Communication Bridge helps people with primary progressive aphasia improve and maintain how they communicate with others.
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.