Understanding how different tissues and cell types respond to acute and chronic viral infections
Official title: A Multifaceted Approach to Study Tissue and Cell Type Specific Molecular Mechanisms of the Host Response to Acute/Chronic Viral Infection
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11378308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why some viruses cause long-lasting infections by looking at how various human tissues and their cells react to viruses at the molecular level.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $383,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM124915-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for chronic viral infections and who can contribute samples or data related to tissue- or cell-type-specific immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without chronic viral infections or without interest in tissue-specific immune studies may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on the cell-intrinsic antiviral response across different tissues to understand why chronic infections persist and drive inflammation. By examining how epithelial and immune cells regulate interferon production and related signaling pathways, the study aims to map tissue-specific control of antiviral defenses. The work combines insights from transcription factors, epigenetic regulation, and innate immune signaling to reveal why certain organs respond differently to viral threats and how this relates to disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to targeted therapies that modulate tissue-specific antiviral responses to prevent chronic inflammation and improve viral clearance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in tissue-specific immune responses has identified key regulators of antiviral signaling, supporting the potential for impactful discoveries in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Emmanuel — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Emmanuel
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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.