How gut microbes change intestinal virus infections
Enteric virus-microbiota interactions
This project looks at how the bacteria and other microbes in the gut change the way intestinal viruses like reovirus, poliovirus, and norovirus infect the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124138 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is comparing very similar virus strains that differ by a single building block to see how microbes in the intestine help or hinder infection. They will examine how viruses bind to sugars (glycans) from both our own cells and from gut microbes, and how removing or changing gut microbes alters virus replication. The work uses lab and animal models to map which intestinal cells the viruses infect and how the immune system responds when microbes are present or absent. Findings aim to reveal specific microbe–virus interactions that could be targeted to prevent or limit infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who get or are at risk for enteric viral infections (for example norovirus, rotavirus, poliovirus, or coxsackievirus) would be the most relevant group for future applications of this research.
Not a fit: Patients with infections or conditions unrelated to intestinal viruses or the gut microbiome are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could suggest new ways to prevent or reduce intestinal viral infections by targeting gut microbes or the sugar molecules they display.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show the gut microbiota can strongly change infection by many enteric viruses, but reovirus has shown unusual, strain-specific responses so this work builds on mixed evidence.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pfeiffer, Julie K — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Pfeiffer, Julie K
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.