Understanding Wolbachia Bacteria to Fight Insect-Spread Diseases
Official title: The evolutionary genetics and genomics of Wolbachia effects on host physiology
Funded at University of Montana · NIH-11128720 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research helps us understand how tiny Wolbachia bacteria affect insects like mosquitoes, which could lead to new ways to prevent diseases such as dengue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Montana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Missoula, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $370,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM124701-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128720 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research focuses on insect biology and does not involve direct patient participation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients would not receive direct medical benefit from this specific research, as it is focused on insect populations.
What this research studies
Many animals, including insects, carry tiny microbes called endosymbionts inside their cells, and these microbes can greatly change the insect's biology. This project focuses on Wolbachia bacteria, which are very common in insects and can influence their health and ability to reproduce. By learning how Wolbachia spreads and affects insects, we hope to improve methods that use these bacteria to control mosquito populations. This could help reduce the spread of diseases like dengue fever to people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective strategies for controlling disease-carrying insects, ultimately protecting people from illnesses like dengue.
How similar studies have gone: Other efforts are already attempting to use Wolbachia for biocontrol, and this research aims to improve the effectiveness of these existing approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Montana
Missoula, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Brandon S. — University of Montana
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Brandon S.
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.