Investigating how genetic and epigenetic factors affect health outcomes after viral infections.
Official title: Host Genetic and Epigenetic Factors of the Progression, Comorbidities and Outcomes of Viral Infection
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-10950351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes and other factors affect how viral infections like HIV and COVID-19 progress and impact health, especially for veterans, to help find ways to predict and improve health outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Decatur, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006008-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include veterans who have been infected with HIV, HCV, or SARS-CoV-2.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been infected with the aforementioned viruses may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how genetic and epigenetic factors influence the progression and outcomes of viral infections such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. By analyzing host responses and health outcomes, the study aims to uncover the links between viral infections and chronic diseases, particularly in veterans. The methodology includes genome-wide association studies and epigenome-wide association studies to identify markers that could predict health complications and aging processes related to these infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of health outcomes for patients with viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in identifying genetic and epigenetic markers related to chronic diseases, suggesting a promising avenue for this research.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Decatur, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marconi, Vincent Charles — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Marconi, Vincent Charles
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Amyloid and HIV: How aging with HIV shapes Alzheimer’s disease at the cellular level
Researchers are studying how aging people with HIV accumulate Alzheimer’s–related brain changes, to understand who might benefit from future therapies.
-
Placental responses to maternal viral infection shape sex-specific offspring immunity
A mother’s viral infection during pregnancy can change how her baby’s immune system develops, potentially making some babies more prone to infections after birth.
-
Gut bacteria and lung immune cells shape viral lung infections
A study explores how gut microbes affect lung immune cells and severity of respiratory viral infections to identify potential ways to reduce illness.
-
Restoring helper CD4 T cells to help control chronic viral infections
A research project tests a strategy to revive CD4 Th1 helper T cells to better control chronic viral infections like HIV and hepatitis B/C in people who need improved immune control.
-
Screening small medicines to block RSV in baby and adult airway cells
A small study tests whether certain drugs can block age-related signals in respiratory cells to stop RSV infection in infants and young children.
-
Immune drivers of long-term lung damage after viral infection
Researchers are studying why some people’s lungs stay damaged after severe viral infections like COVID-19 and how to stop this scarring from getting worse.
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.