# Collaborative Research: Chimeric Antigen Receptor Engineered Neutrophil Extracellular Vesicles Targeting Glioblastoma

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Florida State University (FL) · $350,000

## Abstract

CAR T-cells exhibit some success in the treatment of some cancer types. The acronym CAR refers the fact that the T-cell has been engineered to express a novel receptor protein on its surface. This receptor protein allows the cell to recognize tumor cells and activate the T-cell to attack it.  Neutrophils are another type of immune cell that may possess enhanced targeting to glioblastoma. Neutrophils also produce extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are membrane-enclosed particles that can carry some material found inside the cell to be delivered elsewhere. If EVs from neutrophils can be engineered with the CAR receptors that can target specific cancers, then the EVs could deliver a toxic payload to cancer cells.  This project will develop CAR-engineered EVs, introduce potentially toxic cargos, and test their effectiveness. They will test the CAR EVs against two targets. The first is glioblastoma cells. The second involves brain organoids, which are clumps of neural cells that exhibit features of a fully developed brain. Seeding these organoids with glioblastoma cells will be used to approximate a brain tumor. The effectiveness of the CAR EVs against the "brain tumor organoid" will also be evaluated.  Educational outreach activities will complement the research efforts. These will include outreach to high schools, involvement of undergraduates in research, and developing digital platforms targeting the training of industrial employees.

The objective is to engineer chimeric ant

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2425703
- **Awardee organization:** Florida State University (FL)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JF2BLNN4PJC3
- **PI:** Yan Li
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Quantitative sys bio and biotech
- **Estimated total:** $350,000
- **Funds obligated:** $350,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2425703

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2425703, Collaborative Research: Chimeric Antigen Receptor Engineered Neutrophil Extracellular Vesicles Targeting Glioblastoma. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2425703. Licensed CC0.

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