Exploring how bat immune systems fight off viruses
Official title: Using Bacterial Effectors to Uncover Innate Immune Mechanisms Restricting Viral Replication in Bat Cells
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10906000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how bats fight off viruses, especially those spread by insects, to find out what special proteins they use to stay healthy, which could help us learn how to better manage viral diseases in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI169558-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals interested in the mechanisms of viral infections and those who may be affected by arboviral diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-viral infections or those not affected by arboviral diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune mechanisms in bats that help restrict viral replication, particularly focusing on arboviruses. By using innovative assays, the team aims to identify specific proteins that bats use to combat viral infections. The approach involves expressing immune evasion proteins from viruses in bat cells to observe how these proteins affect the bats' immune response. This could lead to a better understanding of how bats resist infections and may inform strategies for managing viral diseases in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of viral resistance, potentially leading to new treatments or preventive measures for viral infections in humans.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of using bat immune responses is novel, similar methodologies have shown promise in other viral research contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gammon, Don Brad — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gammon, Don Brad
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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.