Understanding how Mayaro virus adapts to urban mosquitoes
Adaptation of Mayaro virus to urban mosquitoes
This study is looking at how the Mayaro virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, might change to infect common city mosquitoes, helping us understand and prevent future outbreaks in urban areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11096092 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the adaptation of the Mayaro virus, a mosquito-borne pathogen, to urban mosquito species like Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. By studying how the virus may evolve to infect these common urban mosquitoes, the research aims to understand the potential for future outbreaks in cities. The approach involves laboratory experiments that simulate viral evolution and assess how changes in the virus could affect its transmission dynamics. This work is crucial for predicting and preventing possible epidemics caused by Mayaro virus in urban settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in urban areas of Latin America who may be at risk of Mayaro virus infection.
Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in urban areas or those who are not exposed to mosquito populations are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing Mayaro virus outbreaks in urban populations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that similar approaches to studying viral adaptation have successfully identified factors that contribute to outbreaks of related viruses like chikungunya.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coffey, Lark L — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Coffey, Lark L
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 below.