How a tick-borne virus mixes genes and changes in animals
Reassortment of Bunyavirus in ticks and animal models
['FUNDING_R01'] · CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU · NIH-11144460
Researchers will learn how the SFTS tick virus swaps gene segments in ticks and animals to better protect people at risk of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144460 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
They will study Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne virus that can cause serious illness, by using tick cells, live H. longicornis ticks, and laboratory animal models to reproduce natural transmission. The team will track viral reassortment (gene segment mixing) and measure whether new viral combinations change growth, spread, immune recognition, or disease severity. Experiments will include in vitro assays and in vivo infections to compare fitness, transmissibility, antigenic changes, and pathogenicity of parent and reassortant viruses. Findings aim to connect how the virus behaves in nature to clinical concerns like diagnostics, treatments, and prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in or travel to areas where SFTSV circulates, work with ticks or animals, or have had suspected SFTS infections would be most relevant to future clinical efforts informed by this work.
Not a fit: Patients with health issues unrelated to tick-borne viruses or who live outside regions where SFTSV circulates are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this animal- and tick-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how dangerous new virus variants emerge and guide better tests, treatments, and prevention for people at risk.
How similar studies have performed: Studies of other segmented viruses like influenza have shown reassortment can change transmissibility and severity, but direct work on SFTSV reassortment in ticks and animal models is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JUNG, JAE U — CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU
- Study coordinator: JUNG, JAE U
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 below.