Where virus-fighting T cells live and work in blood and organs
Project-001
Learning how T cells in the blood and in body tissues protect people from viral infections like CMV and novel coronaviruses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11467560 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research examines immune T cells by studying blood and multiple organ tissues collected from donors so scientists can see immune responses where they actually happen. Researchers compare T cells from lymphoid and mucosal sites with those circulating in blood to map which cells stay in tissues and which travel. They use samples from hundreds of donors and lab methods that identify which viruses each T cell recognizes and how the cells function. The work aims to reveal tissue-specific immune patterns that could guide better vaccines and therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people willing to donate blood or other tissue samples, or organ donors enrolled through the program, often near the study's collection sites.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate personal medical treatment benefit or those with conditions unrelated to viral immunity are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design vaccines and treatments that better boost protective T cells in the organs where they are most needed.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work in mice and human tissue samples has shown that tissue-resident memory T cells exist and can protect against viruses, but applying this detailed mapping to novel coronaviruses and broad human cohorts is more recent.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farber, Donna L. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Farber, Donna L.
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.