Understanding how bats fight off viruses to develop new treatments
Unraveling the bat humoral immune response against zoonotic viruses to guide the design of next-generation therapeutics
This study is looking at how bats fight off viruses to help us find new ways to create treatments and vaccines for diseases that can spread from animals to people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10894845 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique immune responses of bats, which are known to carry viruses that can be harmful to humans. By studying how bats produce antibodies and their immune system's ability to rapidly respond to infections, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies. The project will focus on identifying specific proteins in bat antibodies that could be used to create treatments for zoonotic viruses. This work is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapies for diseases that can jump from animals to humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of zoonotic infections, particularly those in close contact with bats or living in areas where such diseases are prevalent.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk of zoonotic infections or those with existing effective treatments for their conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases that originate from bats.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding bat immunity, but this specific approach to harnessing bat antibodies for therapeutic development is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veesler, David — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Veesler, David
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 below.