CRISPR screen reveals how hosts respond to DNA viruses in fruit flies
Official title: A CRISPR screen for Drosophila DNA viral immunity
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11373996 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is using gene editing in fruit flies to uncover which host genes influence how DNA viruses infect cells, with potential implications for human infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $73,473 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AI193975-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373996 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this basic discovery project; findings may inform future studies involving people.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not immediate; this is a foundational study in model cells.
What this research studies
This project uses a pooled CRISPR screen in Drosophila S2 cells to identify host genes that affect nudivirus infection. By knocking out one gene per cell and exposing the cells to the virus, researchers can see which gene losses change how strongly the virus replicates. The results come from sorting cells by viral infection levels and sequencing the guides to find important host factors. The goal is to map genetic pathways that control DNA virus interactions, which could inform future therapies or prevention strategies. The work bridges basic biology in insects with insights potentially relevant to human viral infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding host factors could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat DNA virus infections in humans.
How similar studies have gone: CRISPR screens in model systems have successfully identified host factors in viral infections, supporting potential relevance to human disease.
Where this research is happening
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University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Unckless, Robert L — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Unckless, Robert L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.