Understanding how past infections affect immunity and disease spread
Ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences of host heterogeneity induced by prior exposure
This study looks at how past infections can change how well house finches fight off diseases, helping us understand why some birds get sick while others stay healthy, and it could give us clues about how immunity develops over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10896157 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how previous exposure to pathogens influences the immune response and susceptibility to diseases in populations. By studying house finches and a common bacterial pathogen, the researchers aim to understand the variability in immune protection among individuals and how this affects the dynamics of disease outbreaks. The study combines theoretical models with empirical experiments to explore the relationship between host traits and pathogen characteristics, providing insights into how immunity evolves over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced prior infections and are interested in how their immune response may vary.
Not a fit: Patients who have not been exposed to relevant pathogens or those with no history of infections may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing disease outbreaks by understanding population immunity.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in understanding host-pathogen interactions, but this specific approach to studying immunity variability is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Blacksburg, United States
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ — Blacksburg, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawley, Dana M — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Hawley, Dana M
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.