How aging changes how we respond to viral infections
Official title: Mechanisms underlying aged host-virus interactions
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-11398243 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aging changes how the body handles viruses, and this project uses fruit flies to understand why older individuals may be more vulnerable to viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,649,788 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG079962-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398243 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with aged-related susceptibility to infectious diseases or those interested in how aging affects immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits are unlikely for healthy young individuals or those not affected by aging-related infection risks.
What this research studies
This project studies why older bodies respond differently to viruses by using the fruit fly as a model. Researchers will look for age-related factors that influence survival after infection with Flock House Virus and how aging affects viral behavior. The goal is to uncover fundamental mechanisms that could lead to better prevention and treatment for infections in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining knowledge that could lead to safer vaccines and therapies for infections in older people.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research using model organisms has revealed age-related changes in host-virus interactions, supporting the potential relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chtarbanova, Stanislava — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Chtarbanova, Stanislava
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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.