Award
NIH Reporter #5R01AI172210-04
Biophysical parameters of self-reactive TCR engagement in T1D
Recipient
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Award Amount
$666,153.00
Ceiling
$666,153.00
Awarded
January 30, 2026
Identifier
5R01AI172210-04
The award funds research on T cell receptor biophysical properties and their role in autoimmune type 1 diabetes, focusing on how TCR force and bond lifetimes affect T cell function and regulatory T cell suppression in autoimmune MHC contexts.
Description
This project investigates the biophysical parameters of T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with peptide-MHC complexes in the context of autoimmune susceptibility, specifically type 1 diabetes (T1D). It aims to understand how structural components of autoimmune MHC, peptide, and TCR control the stability and force of TCR/pMHC interactions and their impact on T cell function and regulatory T cell efficacy. The research focuses on differences in force applied by TCRs in autoimmune versus non-autoimmune contexts and seeks to provide insights into T cell tolerance dysfunction in T1D.