How animals and parasitic worms evolved to fight each other
Reciprocal genetics of recently-evolved vertebrate immunity and helminth counter-adaptation
Researchers are using genetics in fish and their tapeworms to learn how immune defenses and parasite countermeasures interact, with relevance to scarring in the abdomen that can affect people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258012 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses the threespine stickleback fish and its tapeworm to map genes in both host and parasite that shape infection outcomes. Scientists breed different fish lines, infect them with genetically characterized parasites, and measure immune responses and the resulting abdominal fibrosis. They combine genetic crosses, molecular tools (including gene-editing), and infection experiments to find specific host–parasite gene interactions. Findings in the fish model are intended to shed light on mechanisms that resemble human encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis and related fibrotic conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis or unexplained persistent abdominal fibrosis would be the most relevant patient group to follow this research or participate in related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to abdominal fibrosis or immune–parasite interactions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this fish-based genetic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal genetic mechanisms behind harmful abdominal fibrosis and point to targets for preventing or treating similar scarring in people.
How similar studies have performed: Animal genetic mapping and host–parasite studies have provided useful insights before, but doing reciprocal genetics on both host and parasite together is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Storrs-Mansfield, United States
- University of Connecticut Storrs — Storrs-Mansfield, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bolnick, Daniel Imara — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Bolnick, Daniel Imara
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.