Understanding how viruses interact with epithelial cells

Dissecting host-virus interactions in epithelial cells

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10818192

This study looks at how tiny worms respond to viruses to help us understand how our own immune cells recognize and fight off infections, which could lead to better ways to boost our immune system against viruses.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10818192 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the interactions between viruses and epithelial cells, which are crucial for immune defense. By using a model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, the study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that govern how these cells recognize and respond to viral infections. The research focuses on the Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR) activated by the Orsay virus, providing insights into the immune signaling pathways that could be relevant to human health. Patients may benefit from the findings as they could lead to new strategies for enhancing immune responses against viral infections.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with viral infections or those at risk of such infections.

Not a fit: Patients with non-viral related conditions or those not affected by epithelial cell dysfunction may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of viral infections in humans.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using model organisms to study host-pathogen interactions, indicating that this approach is promising.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.