Understanding how the immune system responds to influenza virus infection
Official title: Innate and adaptive immune factors in the acquisition, expulsion and transmission of influenza virus infection
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11010626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our immune system fights off the flu virus, focusing on what happens in our bodies when we get infected or are around someone who is sick, to help create better vaccines for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | April 18, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $414,939 |
| NIH project number | 1P01AI186819-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals who have been recently infected with influenza or are at high risk of exposure to the virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to influenza or those with chronic immune disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune system's response to influenza virus infection, focusing on how both innate and adaptive immune factors influence the acquisition, expulsion, and transmission of the virus. The study aims to uncover the specific immunological mechanisms that operate in both infected individuals and those exposed to the virus, which could help in designing effective vaccines. By analyzing immune responses at the site of infection rather than just in the blood, the research seeks to fill critical gaps in our understanding of how the immune system functions during influenza infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of vaccines that more effectively prevent the spread of influenza virus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding immune responses to influenza in animal models, but this study aims to explore these mechanisms specifically in humans, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sekaly, Rafick Pierre — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Sekaly, Rafick Pierre
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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.