How African bats respond to viral infections and their role in disease spread.
Official title: Tolerance and resistance responses of African bats to viral antigens: Immunological tradeoffs in zoonotic reservoir hosts.
Funded at Bucknell University · NIH-11051860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how African bats can stay healthy even when they have viruses like Ebola, and it aims to help us understand why these bats don’t get sick, which could teach us more about how some animals carry diseases without getting harmed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bucknell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lewisburg, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $572,552 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI151144-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in regions where these bat species are prevalent and where there is a risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in areas affected by these bat species or who are not at risk of zoonotic diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the unique physiology of African bats allows them to tolerate viral infections, particularly those related to Ebola. Conducted in Uganda, the project examines three bat species that are closely linked to the transmission of Ebola virus to humans. By analyzing their immune responses to viral challenges, the study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that enable these bats to coexist with viruses without becoming ill. The findings could provide insights into how certain species manage to act as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for diseases that spill over from bats to humans.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown success in understanding zoonotic diseases and their transmission dynamics, indicating that this approach has potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reeder, Deeann — Bucknell University
- Study coordinator: Reeder, Deeann
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.