Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a Project Grant of $186,600 to the Regents of the University of Michigan, effective May 6, 2026, through April 30, 2028, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The research initiative examines human astrovirus (HAstV) interactions with the intestinal epithelial barrier, investigating fundamental mechanisms of viral pathogenesis across different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The project utilizes human intestinal organoids derived from stem cells to model HAstV infections across all viral clades and intestinal segments, with particular focus on elucidating how classical HAstV-1 and non-classical strains such as VA1 disrupt tight junctions through distinct pathogenic mechanisms.

The grant supports research activities designed to advance understanding of enteric viral pathogenesis and intestinal regionalization as it relates to infection outcomes. This work addresses clinically significant knowledge gaps regarding how HAstVs—highly prevalent viruses that cause pediatric diarrhea and disseminated disease in immunocompromised populations—overcome the intestinal barrier across different anatomical compartments. The research findings are expected to contribute to the broader scientific knowledge base regarding infectious disease mechanisms and potentially inform future therapeutic interventions for HAstV-related gastrointestinal illness.