Understanding how viruses evade the immune system to improve antiviral treatments
Exploiting Pathogen-Encoded Immune Evasion Proteins to Uncover Evolutionarily Conserved Antiviral Host Machinery
This study is looking at how some viruses can hide from our immune system and is for anyone interested in understanding how we can improve our body's ability to fight off viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10932882 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between viruses and host immune responses, focusing on how certain viral proteins can evade immune detection. By studying these interactions, the researchers aim to identify viral immune evasion proteins (IEPs) that could be used to uncover essential cellular mechanisms involved in antiviral defense. The approach involves using insect cells that naturally abort viral infections to screen for IEPs from mammalian pathogens, potentially revealing targets that are conserved across different species. This innovative method could lead to new insights into how to enhance antiviral responses in humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of or currently experiencing arboviral infections.
Not a fit: Patients with non-viral infections or those who do not have a history of arboviral exposure may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel antiviral therapies that improve the body's ability to fight off viral infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding virus-host interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights, although the specific methodology used here is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gammon, Don Brad — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gammon, Don Brad
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.