How Our Bodies Naturally Fight Off Infections
Evolution of innate antiviral defense mechanisms and other microbe-driven genetic innovations
This research explores how our bodies protect themselves from germs and how those germs try to overcome our natural defenses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128779 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Microbes are always present in our environment, and some cause serious infectious diseases that lead to many deaths each year. We don't fully understand all the ways our bodies have developed to defend against these germs, nor how germs evolve to defeat those defenses. This project uses an evolutionary approach, looking at natural differences in human and microbial genes, to discover the critical genes and mechanisms that protect us from infection. Understanding these interactions will help us learn how our genetic makeup affects our ability to resist diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who could benefit from new ways to fight off common or emerging infections are the ultimate focus of this foundational work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention would not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating a wide range of infectious diseases by understanding fundamental defense mechanisms.
How similar studies have performed: This foundational research builds upon existing knowledge of host-pathogen interactions but explores new evolutionary perspectives to identify novel defense mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daugherty, Matthew — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Daugherty, Matthew
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.