# Special Mouse Strains Resource

> **NIH NIH P40** · JACKSON LABORATORY · 2021 · $467,220

## Abstract

Abstract
Understanding the effects of genetic diversity on human disease is the nexus of the Specialty
Mouse Strains Resource (SMSR) grants. Recent findings that SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
(VOCs) can infect common laboratory mice creates both and opportunity and a concern. The
concern is that SARS-CoV-2 has become a zoonotic agent that will impact research using mice.
Little is known about how these VOCs will affect laboratory mice, whether mouse-to-mouse
transmission is possible, or how to survey vivaria for infection. It is critical that we understand the
course of infection, pathogenesis, and transmissibility including through germplasm so that
strategies can be developed to protect research that depends on the use of mice. The data
generated through this proposal will address these gaps in knowledge and will be of value to
those developing policies and practices to prevent or manage outbreaks, protecting the research
resources and infrastructure utilizing mice
Paradoxically, the infection of VOCs in inbred mice also presents an opportunity. The differential
infection among inbred strains for VOCs outlined in this proposal will increase our knowledge of
host genetics of infection, providing a tremendous opportunity to improve our overall strategies in
the design and use of mouse models for SARS-CoV-2, towards the ultimate goal of testing
interventions and therapeutics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400461
- **Project number:** 3P40OD011102-21S1
- **Recipient organization:** JACKSON LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** Cathleen M Lutz
- **Activity code:** P40 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $467,220
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400461

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400461, Special Mouse Strains Resource (3P40OD011102-21S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400461. Licensed CC0.

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