How flu viruses use sugars on human cells to jump from animals to people
Investigation of host glycan requirements for the transmission of influenza viruses at the human-animal interface
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · NIH-11144976
This project looks at which sugar molecules on human lung cells allow animal flu viruses to attach and grow, helping identify animal strains that could infect people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144976 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will edit genes in human lung cells to remove or shorten different types of surface sugar chains (N-glycans, O-glycans, and glycolipids) using CRISPR-Cas9. They will expose these modified cells to a variety of influenza A viruses from birds, bats, and humans to see which sugars the viruses need to bind and replicate. The team will compare virus attachment and replication across the different sugar modifications to pinpoint molecular features that enable cross-species infection. Findings are intended to highlight markers that could indicate whether an animal flu strain might infect people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for follow-up clinical work would be people at higher risk of zoonotic flu exposure (for example poultry workers) or patients in future vaccine or diagnostic trials informed by these findings.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated medical conditions or without animal-flu exposure risk are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict which animal flu viruses pose a threat to people and guide development of better diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have established that sialic-acid receptors affect influenza host range, but using comprehensive CRISPR-based truncation across all major cell-surface glycans is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF IOWA — IOWA CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MANICASSAMY, BALAJI — UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- Study coordinator: MANICASSAMY, BALAJI
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.