Exploring how retroviruses can enhance the immune system's ability to fight infections
Official title: Reverse transcriptase-mediated expansion of the host innate immune system
Funded at Pacific Northwest Research Institute · NIH-10753557 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune genes, which come from retroviruses, can help our bodies fight off viral infections better, and it's for anyone interested in understanding why some people get sick more easily than others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pacific Northwest Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | December 12, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $276,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174130-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10753557 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with varying susceptibility to viral infections, particularly those with a family history of infectious diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no history of viral infections or those who do not have genetic variations in innate immunity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of newly identified immune genes, created by retroviruses, in enhancing the body's response to viral infections. By examining genetic variations in these retrocopies, the study aims to understand how they influence individual susceptibility to diseases. The approach involves advanced genetic sequencing techniques to identify and analyze these retrocopies in human and primate genomes. This could lead to new insights into immune responses and potential therapeutic targets for infectious diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating viral infections by harnessing the body's innate immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in understanding the role of genetic variations in immune responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Pacific Northwest Research Institute
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mclaughlin, Richard Noel — Pacific Northwest Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Mclaughlin, Richard Noel
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.