How swapping genome segments affects Oropouche virus severity
The Relationship between reassortment and Oropouche virus pathogenicity
['FUNDING_R03'] · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · NIH-11269199
This project looks at whether exchanging pieces of the Oropouche virus genome changes how severe infections are, with implications for people at risk in Central and South America.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R03'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11269199 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Oropouche virus causes many human infections in Central and South America and can exchange genome segments with related viruses. Researchers will compare virus variants that differ in their glycoprotein segments in lab-grown cells to see how these changes affect cell entry and antibody recognition. They will also test selected variants in mouse models to measure whether those swaps alter how sick the virus makes an animal. The work is laboratory- and animal-based and does not offer patient treatment or enrollment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients and instead focuses on laboratory experiments and mouse models rather than human volunteers.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for Oropouche infection would not receive direct care or benefit from this project because it is not a clinical treatment study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify viral changes that make Oropouche more dangerous and help guide better diagnostics, vaccines, or antiviral development.
How similar studies have performed: Reassortment is known to drive major changes in influenza, but its effects in Oropouche and related bunyaviruses are largely untested despite the existence of several observed Oropouche reassortant strains.
Where this research is happening
INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TILSTON-LUNEL, NATASHA LOUISE — INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- Study coordinator: TILSTON-LUNEL, NATASHA LOUISE
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.