Understanding how influenza becomes contagious: host, droplets, and environment
Official title: Investigating Host and Droplet-Level Factors Driving the Resolution of Influenza Contagiousness
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11451546 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is studying what makes influenza-infected people more contagious by looking at the person, the droplets they breathe out, and the environment, using advanced AI and ferret models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,927,042 |
| NIH project number | 1P01AI202800-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451546 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No specific patient enrollment is described in the abstract; the work uses ferret models and physiological studies to understand transmission.
✕Less likely to help
The grant structure focuses on modeling and mechanisms rather than direct patient treatment or enrollment.
What this research studies
This project explores why some people shed more contagious influenza droplets than others and how environmental factors influence spread. It combines human biology insights with advanced data analysis and animal model studies to map transmission dynamics. The work aims to create better public health measures to reduce seasonal flu outbreaks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more effective ways to prevent flu transmission and protect vulnerable patients during outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has advanced understanding of influenza transmission, but this project aims to integrate multiple factors with innovative AI and ferret models.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schultz-Cherry, Stacey L — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Schultz-Cherry, Stacey 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.