IgE responses to alpha-gal and how they relate to allergic disease
Official title: IgE antibodies to the mammalian oligosaccharide galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (alpha-gal): immunology, epidemiology and relevance to allergic and inflammatory disease
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11385950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies why some people develop allergic reactions to mammal products due to alpha-gal and what this means for diagnosing and managing the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 1984 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,144,302 |
| NIH project number | 5R37AI020565-42 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults experiencing or at risk for alpha-gal allergy, or those with related delayed reactions to mammal products.
✕Less likely to help
People without AGS or related allergic conditions are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Virginia are investigating the immune response to the sugar alpha-gal that causes delayed allergic reactions after eating mammalian products. The work includes mapping how common these reactions are, how to manage them in patients, and how alpha-gal fits with other food allergies. They will use advanced cellular analysis to explore both antibody and cell behavior in AGS and compare it to other allergies such as eosinophilic esophagitis. The goals are to improve testing, identify problematic foods or products, and better understand why symptoms can appear hours after exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of alpha-gal allergy could lead to improved diagnosis, dietary guidance, and management for patients with delayed meat allergies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have advanced knowledge of AGS and related allergies, with ongoing work showing potential for improved testing and management.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Platts-Mills, Thomas a. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Platts-Mills, Thomas a.
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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.