Understanding how influenza A virus infects hosts through different exposure methods
Official title: From exposure to infection: defining factors modulating the efficiency of influenza A virus infection
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10997801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the flu virus spreads in different ways, like through the air or by touching, using guinea pigs to help understand how things like air conditions and droplet size affect how easily people can get infected, which could help improve public health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AI186480-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals at high risk for influenza A infections, such as those with compromised immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for influenza A infections or those who have already been vaccinated may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how influenza A virus (IAV) infects individuals based on different modes of exposure, such as direct contact and airborne transmission. By using guinea pigs as a model, the study will explore how factors like aerosol size and environmental conditions influence the efficiency of infection. The researchers will conduct experiments involving intranasal and aerosol inoculations to simulate these exposure methods and assess how they affect the virus's ability to infect the respiratory tract. This approach aims to clarify the roles of various transmission routes and their implications for public health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and controlling influenza A virus infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding viral transmission dynamics, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vargas-Maldonado, Nahara — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Vargas-Maldonado, Nahara
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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.