Understanding how viruses spread between different animal species
Official title: Natural model for evaluating within- and cross-species virus transmission
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10876401 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how viruses, like the one that caused COVID-19, spread between different types of rodents, which could help us understand how to stop these viruses from jumping to humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $725,409 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173043-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876401 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals concerned about zoonotic diseases, particularly those related to coronaviruses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for zoonotic infections or those with no interest in viral transmission dynamics may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how viruses, particularly those similar to the 2019 novel coronavirus, are transmitted between different rodent species. By using a model that exposes natural rodent pathogens from pet store mice to laboratory mice, rats, hamsters, and deer mice, the study aims to observe real-time virus transmission dynamics. The researchers will explore factors such as the duration of exposure and the immune response that influence how viruses evolve and spread. This work could provide insights into preventing cross-species transmission of viruses that may affect humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing viral outbreaks in humans by understanding how viruses jump between species.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding virus transmission dynamics using animal models, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Langlois, Ryan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Langlois, Ryan
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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.