How influenza spreads through the air and environment: a project to understand real-world transmission
Official title: Environmental and Respiratory Matrix Contributions to Influenza Virus Persistence and Transmissibility - Project 3
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11451344 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how environmental conditions and the contents of respiratory fluids influence influenza virus spread in real-world spaces.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $779,009 |
| NIH project number | 1P01AI202707-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451344 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals who are at risk of influenza exposure or who live or work in high-traffic indoor spaces where transmission is common.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals with no exposure to environments studied may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
At Duke University, researchers will look at how factors like air exchange, humidity, temperature, and the chemicals in respiratory fluids affect how influenza viruses survive and move between people. The work combines experiments that mimic real environments with analyses of viral particles and their surroundings to pinpoint what makes transmission more or less likely. The goal is to build a clearer picture of how outbreaks become sustained in communities and what environmental tweaks might reduce spread. This project focuses on translating laboratory findings to real-world settings to improve public health responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could inform building design and public health measures to reduce influenza transmission in workplaces and homes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown environmental factors influence viral stability, but real-world transmission links are not well established; this project aims to bridge that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heaton, Nicholas S — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Heaton, Nicholas S
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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.