Programs and Activities Highlights
- Final Site Visit to The University of Alabama at Birmingham
On July 9, 2025, ORIP staff conducted a virtual site visit to The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) facilities renovated under NIH grants C06RR015490, C06RR017453, and C06RR020612. The multi-phased projects modernized Volker Hall’s animal research infrastructure by expanding nonhuman primate and small-animal housing, increasing cage sanitation capacity, and creating surgical and imaging suites and staff support areas. UAB met all project objectives, resulting in increased research capability, enhanced efficiency, and improved compliance with contemporary standards. The facilities now support more than 100 animal-use protocols, over 500 users, and research projects totaling $166 million. Renovations strengthened faculty recruitment, enabled workforce development programs, and led to significant downstream outcomes. These outcomes included 30 intellectual property disclosures, 78 patent applications, and 3 startup companies. Continued investments from UAB are planned, including a new biomedical research building and additional infrastructure upgrades after federal oversight ends.
- Notice of Change to the Instructions for Purpose and Scope in PAR-24-167, Utilizing Equipment to Study Environmental Extrinsic Factors and Enhance Rigor and Reproducibility of Animal Research (R24, Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
ORIP published a notice to inform potential applicants of changes to the language regarding the examples of projects that will not be supported under PAR-24-167, Utilizing Equipment to Study Environmental Extrinsic Factors and Enhance Rigor and Reproducibility of Animal Research (R24, Clinical Trials Not Allowed). ORIP supports the acquisition or update of modern equipment for measuring, monitoring, recording, and reporting environmental, biological, or biobehavioral variables.
- Site Visit: Purdue University
ORIP conducted a virtual site visit to Purdue University on June 20, 2025. NIH funded grant C06RR015480 for the renovation of offices and laboratories on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors of the Robert Heine Pharmacy Building at Purdue University. Supported research areas include molecular pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, proteomics, development of inhalation products of antimicrobials, and pharmaceutical protein biotechnology.
- Site Visit: University of New Mexico
ORIP conducted a virtual site visit to the University of New Mexico (UNM) on June 20, 2025. NIH funded grant C06RR017566 for the construction of a multimodal neuroimaging facility for animal research on neurological and psychiatric disorders at UNM’s Health Sciences Center (HSC). C06RR016492 supported the renovation of the second floor of the new multidisciplinary research facility for the Toxicology and Environmental Diseases program in the College of Pharmacy at UNM HSC. C06RR018888 funded the construction of the neurobiology building to support the clinical and translational research programs of the psychiatry and neurology departments at UNM HSC.
- Site Visit: SUNY Stony Brook
ORIP conducted a virtual site visit to the State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook on May 2, 2025. ORIP manages NIH extramural construction programs that fund the construction, renovation, and modernization of research spaces. Grant C06RR029841 provided funding for the construction of the first Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory in the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources at the SUNY Stony Brook Health Sciences Center. Grant C06RR014510 funded the renovation of 25,443 square feet of space on the third floor of the Life Sciences Building at SUNY Stony Brook to create research space for an interdepartmental molecular and cellular biology research group focused on yeast.
Read more in the archive.
ORIP-Supported Research Highlights
- Distinct CD8+ T Cell Dynamics Associate with Response to Neoadjuvant Cancer Immunotherapies
Recent advances in monoclonal antibodies have transformed cancer treatments, but more work is needed to predict responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (treatments that help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells). In this study, researchers tested combinations of three ICIs—anti-PD-1 (nivolumab; Nivo) alone, nivolumab plus CTLA-4 (ipilimumab; Ipi), and nivolumab plus LAG-3 (relatlimab; Rela)—in a cohort of patients (both sexes included) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (NCT04080804). They found that the two combination therapies may enable higher pathologic response rates than nivolumab alone. These combination regimens target specific CD8+ T-cell states within the tumor microenvironment. Nivo+Rela, but not Nivo+Ipi, induces widespread T-cell receptor sharing among transcriptional states, as well as T-cell receptor diversity in patients who respond to therapy. This work may provide biomarkers that could play a crucial role in tailoring therapies to patient profiles.
- Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis Uncovers Tumor-Immune-Gut Axis Influencing Immunotherapy Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, and effective, long-lasting treatments are needed to maintain a good quality of life for patients with recurrent disease. Researchers conducted a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT02853318) to assess the efficacy of combining pembrolizumab, bevacizumab, and oral cyclophosphamide to treat recurrent ovarian cancer in 40 patients (sex not specified). Their results indicated that the combination regimen extended the patient progression-free survival compared with the single-drug therapies alone. The combination therapy improved quality of life, increased rates of disease control, induced more favorable microbial patterns, and enhanced amino acid and lipid metabolism. These clinical results provide additional treatment options for women with recurrent ovarian cancer.
- Lysosomal Dysfunction and Inflammatory Sterol Metabolism in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Dysregulation of lysosomal activity and cholesterol metabolism causes inflammation, but the relevance of these functions to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unclear. Researchers examined this topic using both human (both sexes included) and male rodent (rats and mice) endothelial cells (ECs). They found that nuclear receptor coactivator 7 (NCOA7) functions as a homeostatic brake and prevents oxysterol-induced inflammation, EC dysfunction, and PAH. Genetic predisposition to NCOA7 deficiency was driven by single-nucleotide polymorphism, which alters endothelial immunoactivation and correlates with mortality in humans. This study links fundamental lysosomal biology and oxysterol metabolism to EC behavior and may guide potential molecular diagnostics and therapeutics in PAH.
- Genetic QT Score as a Predictor of Sudden Cardiac Death in Participants with Sleep-Disordered Breathing in the UK Biobank
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive upper airway collapse. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea have prolonged corrected QT (QTc) intervals during the daytime, which is linked to increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and all-cause mortality. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between a polygenic risk score for QT prolongation (QTc-PRS), QTc intervals, and mortality in male and female patients enrolled in the UK Biobank. The researchers found that the QTc-PRS was associated with SCD among participants with sleep apnea but not among those without sleep apnea. This work suggests that sleep apnea is a significant modifier of genetic risk. Additionally, Black participants with sleep apnea had a particularly high risk of SCD.
- The Saponin Monophosphoryl Lipid A Nanoparticle Adjuvant Induces Dose-Dependent HIV Vaccine Responses in Nonhuman Primates
Researchers tested an HIV vaccine booster using an adjuvant (an ingredient that helps vaccines work better) called saponin monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle (SMNP). Using male and female nonhuman primates, researchers found that higher doses of SMNP triggered stronger immune responses, including robust B-cell activation and the production of two neutralizing antibodies (important for long-lasting protection). Only high-dose groups showed significant levels of these antibodies. Findings highlight the importance of dose-dependent potency of vaccines in shaping immune responses. This study suggests SMNP’s potential for use in humans as a next-generation vaccine.
Read more in the archive.
