Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute a $906,255 Project Grant (CFDA 93.855: Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) effective July 8, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2031. This research project will deliver a comprehensive genetics-based discovery initiative to identify novel genes regulating Follicular Helper T Cell (TFH) function and their role in antibody responses. The research employs advanced variant-to-gene mapping methodologies including chromosome conformation analysis, quantitative expression-trait mapping, massively-parallel reporter assays, and CRISPR interference screening to identify disease-associated genetic variants and their functional impacts on TFH cells isolated from human lymphoid tissue.

The award will produce validated research findings through parallel functional validation studies in in vitro lymphoid organoid models of human humoral immunity and in vivo mouse models of lupus and influenza vaccination. Deliverables include identification of novel effector genes regulating T cell-dependent antibody responses, mechanistic insights into how common genetic variation contributes to autoimmune disease susceptibility, and characterization of potential therapeutic intervention targets for modulating humoral immunity in vaccine development, infectious disease, and autoimmune disorder contexts. This work is conducted at the awardee's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania facility and will advance understanding of fundamental immunological mechanisms with direct applications to improving therapeutic interventions across multiple disease domains.