Understanding how aging affects interactions between hosts and viruses
Official title: Mechanisms underlying aged host-virus interactions
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-10883237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting older affects our body's ability to fight off viruses, especially in older adults, using fruit flies to help understand how their immune systems work differently than younger ones, which could help improve ways to prevent and treat viral infections in seniors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $572,333 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG079962-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883237 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those who are at higher risk for viral infections due to age-related vulnerabilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and not at risk for viral infections may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging influences the way our bodies interact with viruses, particularly focusing on older adults who are more susceptible to infections. By using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism, the researchers aim to uncover the biological mechanisms that allow older individuals to survive viral infections and how these infections may evolve in aged hosts. The study will explore the differences in immune responses and viral behavior in younger versus older organisms, providing insights that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for viral diseases in the elderly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating viral infections in older adults, ultimately enhancing their health and longevity.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach using Drosophila melanogaster is novel, previous research has shown success in understanding host-virus interactions in other contexts, indicating potential for meaningful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chtarbanova, Stanislava — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Chtarbanova, Stanislava
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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.