# Novel diagnostic tools and animal model system for study human/animal interface of COVID-19

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 2024 · $760,378

## Abstract

The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 is designated by World Health Organization (WHO) as a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern. Similarities among ACE2 receptors predict that there are several animals
could function as reservoirs for the virus. Recent studies by us and others identified felid animals, including
domestic cats, tigers and lions as highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings cause great
concerns on the potential for human to animal and animal to human transmission, along with the virus
mutations that appear as the virus goes back and forth between species. One goal of this study is to design
and prepare novel reagents and assays for detection and surveillance in animals. A second goal is to
develop a feline animal model. Together, these data will be incorporated into models for understanding
the risk of animal infection for veterinarians, other animal care professionals, and the general public.
Specific Aims are: 1). To generate and characterize specific reagents for use in COVID-19 research and
diagnostics; 2). To develop diagnostic assays for detecting COVID-19 virus infection in animals; 3). To
establish a feline model to study SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis; 4). To apply novel diagnostic assays in the
surveillance of pets and zoo animal populations. Outcomes of this study will generate a panel of SARS-CoV-
2-specific antibody reagents, diagnostic standards, and assays for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in
all species of animals. The diagnostic assays will be applied to COVID-19 surveillance networks, which will
identify important animal reservoirs. The novel serological assay can also serve as a DIVA test to differentiate
between the vaccinated and infected animals (and humans). The feline pathogenesis studies will improve our
understanding of viral pathogenic mechanisms, host immune responses, and provide the source of samples for
early detection and test validation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10908520
- **Project number:** 5R01AI166791-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **Principal Investigator:** Diego G Diel
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $760,378
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-17 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10908520

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10908520, Novel diagnostic tools and animal model system for study human/animal interface of COVID-19 (5R01AI166791-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10908520. Licensed CC0.

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