Federal Grant Award Summary

Louisiana State University received a $412,500 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded February 2, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2028. The research project aims to identify RNAi-independent antiviral genes through biased genetic screening in Caenorhabditis elegans. The work builds upon preliminary screening that identified eight candidate genes contributing to RNAi-independent antiviral defense (RIAD) mechanisms, which represent an alternative layer of antiviral protection distinct from the primary RNA interference pathway in nematodes. This investigation addresses a knowledge gap regarding how organisms mount antiviral defenses resistant to viral genome mutations and viral dsRNA-binding proteins.

The project advances fundamental understanding of antiviral defense mechanisms by studying transcriptional programs activated during viral infection in C. elegans that provide virus protection independent of RNAi pathways. This approach aligns with NIAID's mission to support biomedical research addressing infectious disease mechanisms and has potential applications for developing novel antiviral strategies capable of resisting viral mutation and evasion tactics. Research will be conducted at LSU's Baton Rouge, Louisiana facility.