Dengue virus from the woods: how sylvatic strains could affect people
Official title: Evaluation of sylvatic dengue virus isolates for their pathogenic potential in humans
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-11455116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying whether sylvatic dengue viruses, which live in forests, can infect human cells and potentially spill over to people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 3, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $222,594 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI178381-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a clinical trial; however, findings may influence public health monitoring and future patient-focused studies on dengue.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits are unlikely during the research phase.
What this research studies
This project will create a diverse panel of sylvatic dengue viruses and test if they can enter and replicate in human target cells. Researchers will also examine whether these viruses dampen the human innate immune response in the same way as human dengue strains do. The work will use human cell models to explore differences between sylvatic and human dengue viruses and what that could mean for future outbreaks. Findings could inform how we monitor and respond to emerging dengue threats. The study is led by Sara Sawyer at the University of Colorado and will run from 2026 to 2028.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve our understanding of zoonotic risk from dengue viruses and help guide surveillance and prevention strategies to protect people.
How similar studies have gone: This area builds on existing knowledge that some sylvatic DENVs can infect human cells, but many aspects remain untested and novel in approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sawyer, Sara — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Sawyer, Sara
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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.