# Synthetic Biology and Optogenetics Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2021 · $318,783

## Abstract

Abstract
The Program Project will employ in all projects novel engineered reagents that enable manipulation and
interrogation of individual signaling pathways with precise spatial and temporal control. As described in individual
Projects, reagents provided by Core B will be used to define the signaling processes that regulate plasticity and
specialization of macrophages and define their role during lung inflammation and injury as well as resolution.
Development and optimization of these tools will require the efforts of the Synthetic Biology and Optogenetics
Core B. The central functions of Core B will be 1) to develop molecular tools customized for each specific
question in individual Projects, 2) to evaluate the new reagents as they come on-line and establish protocols for
their application in macrophages and in in vivo mouse model, and 3) to provide assistance to all Projects with
the application of the tools, troubleshooting, and analysis of the results. The intent will be to simplify application
of these advances technologies to dissect specific signaling pathways in the Program Project and allow
participants to focus on the proposed questions requiring these reagents. The specific tools that will be developed
and employed by Core B include: 1) new reagents to control localization and interactions of proteins identified
by Projects; and 2) reagents for regulation of activity of selected proteins in living macrophages, and targeted
activation of these proteins in specific complexes and subcellular locations. Core B will also generate and
optimize reagents for expression of engineered proteins in macrophages and develop new reagents as needed
for manipulation and interrogation of protein interactions and cell signaling. The tools developed will enable
manipulation of individual signaling pathways, deconstruction of these pathways, and assessment of their roles
in the regulating function of macrophages in lungs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10170860
- **Project number:** 1P01HL151327-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** ANDREI V KARGINOV
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $318,783
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-20 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10170860

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10170860, Synthetic Biology and Optogenetics Core (1P01HL151327-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10170860. Licensed CC0.

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