Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded the University of Maryland, Baltimore $455,500 under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) on February 3, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2028. This Project Grant supports basic immunological research investigating a specialized subset of human gamma-delta T cells (VD2 cells) present in cord blood. The research aims to characterize the functional heterogeneity and distinct properties of neonatal VD2 lymphocytes to enhance understanding of infant immune responses to intracellular pathogens, ultimately informing protective therapeutic strategies for vulnerable newborns and premature infants who face elevated infection risk during early life.

The research deliverables include scientific characterization of cord blood VD2 cell phenotypes and functional programs through advanced methodologies including spectral flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. The study will produce findings on the antimicrobial activity and stemness properties of these immune cells compared to adult counterparts, with particular focus on identifying unique cell clusters present at birth that may influence neonatal infection susceptibility. Research outputs will contribute to the broader objective of elucidating immune mechanisms in early life to support development of infection prevention strategies for high-risk infant populations.