Project Grant R01AI194451

Federal Grant Award Summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center received a $879,998 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded July 15, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2031. This five-year research project investigates mucosal regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their role in modulating recalled memory T cell responses, specifically examining tissue resident memory T cell (TRM) responses to viral infection in both murine and human models. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how regulatory T cells control and fine-tune anti-viral tissue-based immune responses to prevent immune-mediated tissue damage while maintaining effective pathogen protection.

The funded research will characterize the features, fate, mechanisms, and functional consequences of Treg and tissue Treg involvement in anti-viral memory immune responses. Deliverables include scientific findings on the signals controlling Treg entry, retention, and participation in tissue during local infection and recall responses, with potential applications to understanding tissue immunity balance in infectious disease contexts. As a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center with substantial infectious disease research expertise, Fred Hutchinson possesses the necessary infrastructure, personnel, and collaborative capacity to execute this immunological research and will leverage partnerships with academic and research institutions as needed to support specialized research components.