Understanding how Ebola Virus spreads from mother to fetus during pregnancy
Official title: Identifying placental tissue tropism and cellular mechanisms of Ebola Virus transmission from mother to fetus in pregnancy
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11168545 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the Ebola virus affects pregnant women and their babies, by exploring how the virus gets into the placenta, which could help find ways to stop it from spreading during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | January 8, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $66,478 |
| NIH project number | 3UH2AI186375-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11168545 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who have been exposed to the Ebola Virus or are in regions where the virus is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not been exposed to the Ebola Virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the Ebola Virus infects pregnant women and how it can be transmitted to their developing fetuses. By examining placental tissues, the study aims to identify the specific cells that the virus targets and the mechanisms it uses to enter these cells. The research will involve laboratory experiments to analyze the presence of the virus in placental tissues and to understand the pathways of infection. This knowledge could help in developing strategies to prevent transmission during pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for pregnant women infected with Ebola Virus, ultimately protecting both maternal and fetal health.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research on Ebola Virus transmission in pregnancy, studies on other viruses like Zika have shown success in understanding similar mechanisms, making this research both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maury, Wendy Jean — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Maury, Wendy Jean
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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.