Determining the Impact of Innate Immunity on the Production of Cryptic Proteins from Defective Influenza Virus Genomes

Awarded in 2025

Updated Dec 3, 2025

At a Glance

The project, Determining the Impact of Innate Immunity on the Production of Cryptic Proteins from Defective Influenza Virus Genomes, led by research associate Elizabeth Horton, PhD, investigates how the body’s innate immune system influences the production of cryptic proteins from defective influenza virus genomes. Because influenza remains a health threat in Wisconsin and globally, and resistance to existing antiviral drugs is growing, understanding how these defective viral products naturally limit infection could reveal new therapeutic pathways. Andrew Mehle, PhD, professor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UW–Madison, serves as the supervising mentor.

More Funded Projects

research icon: microscope and stethoscope

Postdoctoral Grant

Awarded in 2025

The project, Development and Optimization of Cat Intestine Microphysiological Devices to Study T. Gondii Sexual Development, led by postdoctoral fellow Andrew Gale, PhD, aims to develop a miniature cat intestine in an organ-on-a-chip approach to enable the study of Toxoplasma gondii sexual reproduction outside of feline hosts. Because T. gondii can infect humans but completes its sexual cycle only in cats, research on this stage has been limited. Creating a microphysiological device that mimics the cat intestine would provide a new model for studying the parasite’s life cycle, accelerating the development of treatments and vaccines that could reduce oocyst production and prevent the spread of T. gondii. Laura Knoll, PhD, professor and associate dean, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, UW–Madison, serves as the supervising mentor.

Postdoctoral Grant

Awarded in 2025

The project, Decoding KCNJ2 Variants: Mechanistic and Therapeutic Profiling of Kir2.1 Channel Dysfunction, led by postdoctoral fellow Saba Munawar, PhD, investigates how genetic variants in KCNJ2 disrupt the Kir2.1 ion channel and contribute to heart rhythm disorders, including Anderson-Tawil Syndrome. Using advanced computer modeling, laboratory testing and stem cell-based approaches, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms driving arrhythmias and to identify potential targeted medications. By clarifying which patients may benefit from specific therapies, this work will advance personalized treatment for rare genetic arrhythmias and may also inform new options for common conditions. Lee Eckhardt, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, UW–Madison, serves as the supervising mentor.