How the immune system responds to norovirus in healthy adults
Systems analysis of immune responses to Norovirus infection in a human challenge model.
This project will track early immune signals in healthy adults given a controlled norovirus exposure to see how those signals link to later antibody and cellular immunity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238084 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be a healthy adult volunteer who receives a controlled norovirus exposure and gives blood and stool samples before and on days 1, 3, 5, and 14 afterward. Researchers will use high-throughput “omics” tests and measure cytokines and specific immune cells (including NK and CD14+ cells) in blood, and will also analyze stool transcripts. Samples come from two parallel challenge groups exposed to different norovirus strains and doses so investigators can compare responses. The goal is to find early immune patterns that predict who develops stronger antibody and cellular protection later.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 21 years or older who are willing to participate in a controlled norovirus challenge and attend multiple clinic visits for blood and stool collection are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are immunocompromised, have significant chronic health conditions, are under 21, or who do not want intentional exposure to norovirus would not be eligible or likely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify early immune markers that guide vaccine development and predict who will develop protective immunity after norovirus exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Human norovirus challenge trials have been done previously and have provided useful infection and immunity data, but applying deep transcriptomics to predict adaptive immunity is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hagan, Thomas Lafayette — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hagan, Thomas Lafayette
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.