What makes influenza A spread between people
Clinical Core: Drivers of influenza A virus transmission in humans
Volunteers will be intentionally exposed to influenza A in controlled ways so researchers can learn which viral, immune, behavioral, or environmental factors make the flu spread between people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323038 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would come to Emory's Hope Clinic where healthy volunteers are intentionally exposed to a well-characterized influenza A virus by nasal drops, small-particle aerosol, or close interaction with an infected person. The team will closely monitor symptoms and collect blood, nasal swabs, and other samples, while recording behavior and environmental conditions during the contagious period. Those samples and data will be shared with other project teams and modelers to pinpoint drivers of transmission. The trial plans to enroll about 75 participants and builds on earlier safe CHIM work at Emory.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults without high-risk medical conditions who are willing to be intentionally exposed to influenza and stay for close monitoring at the clinic.
Not a fit: People at high risk for severe influenza (including pregnant people, children, and those with certain chronic illnesses) should not join and are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to prevent flu spread such as improved vaccines, targeted public-health measures, or clearer guidance on masking and distancing.
How similar studies have performed: Emory has already conducted CHIMs with this influenza strain, safely inoculating volunteers and achieving a high infection rate, and similar controlled infection studies have provided useful insights elsewhere.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rouphael, Nadine Georges — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Rouphael, Nadine Georges
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.