Identifying viruses in blood-feeding insects
Official title: Defining the virosphere of neglected hematophagous arthropods
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11110489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the viruses that ticks and blackflies might carry, which can make people sick, to help find new ways to detect and prevent these viruses before they cause health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $76,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI177172-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals living in areas where these blood-feeding arthropods are prevalent and at risk of virus transmission.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in regions affected by these arthropods or who are not at risk of exposure to arthropod-borne viruses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the viruses carried by various blood-feeding arthropods, such as ticks and blackflies, which can transmit serious diseases to humans. By using advanced sequencing techniques, the study aims to discover and characterize novel viruses that these insects may harbor. The findings could help in developing diagnostic tools and preventive measures against potential virus outbreaks before they affect human health. The research will utilize samples from over 37,000 arthropods collected in North America.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and controlling diseases transmitted by arthropod-borne viruses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified viruses in mosquitoes, indicating that similar approaches may yield valuable insights in understudied arthropods.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blitvich, Bradley J — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Blitvich, Bradley J
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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.