Understanding how T cells influence influenza transmission in a pig model
Official title: Dissecting mechanisms underlying T cell control of influenza transmission
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11451506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how immune T cells may affect how influenza spreads, using pigs to model human-like transmission and immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $630,634 |
| NIH project number | 1P01AI202802-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with prior influenza exposure or vaccination could benefit from advances guided by these findings.
✕Less likely to help
This study does not recruit patients directly; results are in animal models and laboratory analyses.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how CD4 and CD8 T cells shape the spread of flu by using pigs that mimic human transmission and by applying advanced immunology techniques. The work will involve manipulating T cell populations and detecting virus in respiratory tissues to understand transmission dynamics more clearly. Findings could help explain why people with prior flu exposure transmit less virus and guide future vaccines or therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better vaccines or strategies to reduce flu spread by targeting T cell responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animal models and human studies suggests T cells influence viral control, but this project aims to validate a model that mirrors human transmission more closely.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Driver, John — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Driver, John
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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.