# Investigating the role of the microbiota in enhancing memory T cell function during caloric restriction to promote melanoma control

> **NIH NIH R00** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $236,550

## Abstract

Project summary/Abstract
Research: To discover novel factors and mechanisms that enhance the quality of memory T cells has the potential to
impact the development of cancer immunotherapies. My recent publication demonstrated that caloric restriction (CR)
enhanced the function of memory T cells to control melanoma and significantly extend host survival. As such, CR could
represent an accessible nutritional intervention to modulate the function of the immune system for the treatment of
cancer. However, the molecular determinants and signalling pathways involved remain unclear, which are critical to
uncover in order to rationally design and implement diet-based therapeutic approaches. Based on preliminary data
and the published work of others, this proposal will investigate the role of microbiota-derived acetate in enhancing
memory T cell function during CR to promote melanoma control. Such information has the potential to benefit human
health by improving strategies aimed at treating cancer.
Career Goals: My overarching career goal is to become an independent investigator at an academic institution where
I study the mechanisms by which CR can be utilized as a nutritional intervention to modulate the immune system for
the treatment cancer. Furthermore, I believe that teaching and mentoring are essential aspects of being an
independent investigator and therefore aspire to become an inspirational teacher and an outstanding mentor.
Career Development Plan: To become a successful independent investigator I will need to develop various research,
professional and personal skills. These will include acquiring expertise in molecular biology and microbiology
techniques, as well as fostering collaborations and developing skills in writing, mentoring, teaching, communicating
and laboratory management. The NIH provides an outstanding academic environment in which trainees can fulfil these
criteria by regularly presenting data, receiving feedback from prominent scientists, fostering collaborations and
enrolling in courses to develop skills in specialist scientific areas, personal development and laboratory management.
Furthermore, in addition to my mentor and co-mentor, I have support from several independent investigators with
extensive expertise in areas that will greatly facilitate the completion of experiments proposed here. As such, the NIH
is an ideal environment to develop during the K99 phase as I progress to become a successful independent
investigator.
Career Development Environment: I will perform the K99 phase in the laboratory of Dr. Yasmine Belkaid at the NIH,
which provides an unprecedented environment in terms of the resources and facilities available. The laboratory has
access to all of the instruments and facilities necessary to complete the experiments proposed in this application.
These include a gnotobiotic animal facility and a sequencing facility that also provides bioinformatics analysis. The
mentorship I will receive will be of the highe...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10818345
- **Project number:** 5R00CA252443-04
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas Collins
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $236,550
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-06 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10818345

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10818345, Investigating the role of the microbiota in enhancing memory T cell function during caloric restriction to promote melanoma control (5R00CA252443-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10818345. Licensed CC0.

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