Investigating coronaviruses in wild rodents
Official title: Prevalence of Coronaviruses in Wild Rodents
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-10989954 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how common coronaviruses are in wild deer mice in Colorado to see if they might play a role in spreading COVID-19, helping us understand more about how the virus moves between animals and humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | November 17, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $179,709 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI163444-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989954 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include wildlife biologists, ecologists, and public health officials interested in zoonotic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in wildlife health or zoonotic disease transmission may not find direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the prevalence of coronaviruses in wild cricetid rodents, particularly the North American and California deer mice. By surveying these rodents in Colorado, the study aims to identify the presence of coronaviruses and analyze their genetic sequences. The findings could provide insights into how these rodents may act as reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 and contribute to the understanding of COVID-19 transmission dynamics. The research employs experimental and bioinformatic methods to assess susceptibility and potential spillback of the virus from humans to wildlife.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of zoonotic transmission and help in developing strategies to prevent future outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on coronaviruses in other wildlife species, this specific investigation into North American cricetid rodents is novel and has not been extensively explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schountz, William a — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Schountz, William 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.