# Natural model for evaluating within- and cross-species virus transmission

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2024 · $725,409

## Abstract

Project Summary
The global virome is incredibly diverse and emerging viruses threaten global health. Unfortunately, few infection
models can recapitulate natural transmission and evolution. Here we propose to bridge natural and experimental
systems to study real-time transmission dynamics within and between hosts and infer virus-pathogen
relationships. To accomplish this we will leverage a model whereby the natural rodent pathogens from pet store
mice are exposed to laboratory mice, rats, hamsters, or deer mice. This model offers a platform for studying
acute transmission of viruses between and within hosts via natural mechanisms. One major advantage of this
model is that you can access the entire transmission chain from the reservoir tissue, to what is shed, to what
either succeeds or fails to replicate in the new host. Aim 1 of this proposal will test the hypothesis that the duration
of exposure, interferon and stage of infection in the reservoir shape virus transmission and evolution. In this aim
we will address fecal oral and respiratory transmission. Aim 2 of this proposal will test the hypothesis that
evolutionary distance and interferon determine the success of cross-species transmission events. To address
this we will use wt and STAT2 deficient rats, hamsters, and deer mice. Importantly, this proposal will generate
STAT2 deficient rats. Currently, there are no innate immune deficient rats exists and this proposal will provide
an invaluable tool for the field. We will measure the capacity of natural mouse viruses to cross the species barrier
and determine the impact of evolutionary distance and innate antiviral responses. Overall, this proposal will
develop and exploit a model system allows for the analysis of transmission of natural rodent viruses to
characterize biological barriers to zoonosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10876401
- **Project number:** 5R01AI173043-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryan Langlois
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $725,409
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10876401

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10876401, Natural model for evaluating within- and cross-species virus transmission (5R01AI173043-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10876401. Licensed CC0.

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