Understanding how certain viruses can be passed from mother to child and cause congenital diseases.
Official title: Host and Viral Determinants of Orthobunyavirus Vertical Transmission: Novel Model Systems to Understand the Mechanisms of Congenital Disease in Humans and Ruminants
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10894603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses, especially bunyaviruses, can be passed from pregnant people to their babies, which might cause health issues, and it aims to understand how these viruses affect the placenta and the immune system to help improve maternal and fetal health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $124,838 |
| NIH project number | 5K01AI165965-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894603 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who may be at risk of bunyavirus infections or have experienced complications during pregnancy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a history of bunyavirus infections are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which specific viruses, particularly bunyaviruses, can be transmitted from pregnant individuals to their fetuses, potentially leading to congenital diseases. The study will utilize advanced model systems to explore how these viruses interact with placental tissues and the immune responses they provoke. By examining both human and ruminant infections, the research aims to identify viral factors that influence the severity of disease and the risk of miscarriage. This work is crucial for understanding the broader implications of bunyavirus infections on maternal and fetal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of congenital diseases caused by viral infections during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding viral transmission mechanisms, but this specific approach to bunyaviruses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcmillen, Cynthia — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Mcmillen, Cynthia
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.