Understanding how influenza affects muscle health
Official title: Innate Immune Function in Influenza-Associated Myopathy
Funded at University of Maine Orono · NIH-11080319 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the flu virus affects muscle health, especially for people who experience muscle problems after getting sick, and it uses zebrafish to learn more about how the body fights the virus and what that means for muscle damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maine Orono NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orono, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $269,778 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM144265-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080319 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced severe muscle symptoms following an influenza infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had influenza or do not exhibit muscle-related symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of influenza virus infections on skeletal muscle health, particularly focusing on a condition known as Influenza-Associated Myopathy (IAM). It aims to understand how the immune system's response to the virus contributes to muscle damage, which can range from mild degeneration to severe necrosis. Using a zebrafish model, researchers will explore the dynamics of viral invasion and the immune response in real-time, providing insights that could lead to new strategies for reducing muscle damage in infected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that minimize muscle damage in patients suffering from influenza infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using similar models to study viral infections and their effects on muscle health, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maine Orono
Orono, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Benjamin L — University of Maine Orono
- Study coordinator: King, Benjamin L
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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.