Understanding how aging affects the body's response to viral infections
Official title: Temporal responses in host-virus interactions
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-10580238 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how older adults' bodies react to viral infections by using fruit flies to understand the genes and processes involved, with the hope of finding better ways to help elderly people stay healthy when they get sick.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | November 7, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $447,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AI169146-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10580238 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 or do not have chronic diseases or vulnerabilities related to aging may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how older adults respond to viral infections, focusing on the biological mechanisms that contribute to their increased vulnerability. Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism, the study will explore the role of specific genes and inflammatory pathways in the immune response of aged individuals. By combining genetic and molecular techniques, the research aims to uncover how age impacts the body's ability to tolerate infections and survive them. The ultimate goal is to inform better prevention and treatment strategies for elderly patients facing viral diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating viral infections in older adults, enhancing their health and longevity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding host-virus interactions in various age groups, but this specific focus on aging and viral response mechanisms is relatively novel.
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.