Using diverse mice to understand St. Louis encephalitis virus disease outcomes
Official title: Collaborative cross mice as a new model for diverse human outcomes of St. Louis encephalitis virus disease
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10884379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a new type of mouse that has a mix of genes like humans to better understand how the St. Louis encephalitis virus affects people, especially how our immune system responds and what that means for treatments and prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $199,187 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178353-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been infected with St. Louis encephalitis virus or are at risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of SLEV infection or are not at risk for mosquito-borne illnesses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new mouse model that better represents the genetic diversity found in humans to study the effects of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). By using Collaborative Cross mice, which are genetically diverse, the researchers hope to observe a range of disease outcomes similar to those seen in human infections. The study will focus on how the immune response affects the severity of the disease, providing insights into potential treatments and preventive measures. This approach addresses the limitations of previous models that did not accurately reflect human disease responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients affected by St. Louis encephalitis virus.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using genetically diverse mouse models for other flavivirus infections has shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coffey, Lark L — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Coffey, Lark L
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.