Reassortment of Bird Flu Viruses and How They Adapt and Reach New Hosts
Official title: Reassortment of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Implications for Fitness and Host Range
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11434358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how highly contagious bird flu viruses mix and adapt so they can infect different animals and people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,094,830 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI201564-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11434358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient participation; this is a basic science virology grant.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement in the study.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how reassortment events between bird flu strains change the virus’s ability to infect various hosts. They will use physiologically relevant models to observe how new gene combinations affect fitness, transmission, and range. The work aims to identify factors that could raise pandemic risk from avian influenza while improving our understanding of viral evolution. Findings could inform surveillance and biosecurity strategies to protect animals and people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these processes could help prevent outbreaks in poultry and reduce pandemic risk in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that reassortment can alter host range and fitness, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowen, Anice C — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Lowen, Anice C
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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.