Under Pressure: Investigating the effects of physiological stress on immunity and coronavirus shedding in Neotropical bats using cell lines and organoids

Bats are important reservoirs for several high-consequence zoonotic viruses, including coronaviruses (CoVs). They maintain these viruses without diseases, indicating unique immunological adaptations shaped by bat–virus coevolution. However, active viral replication and shedding have been observed in bats—hypothesized to be driven by ecological and physiological stressors. Land-use change driven by agricultural expansion and urbanization increasingly exposes bats to resource limitation and consequently to chronic stress. While chronic stress is known to alter immunity and infection in humans, its mechanistic role in shaping bat immunity and viral dynamics remains largely untested. This project will address this gap by experimentally examining how physiological stress influences immunity and CoV replication in Neotropical bats, which harbor diverse CoVs, including lineages related to human pathogens. We will develop novel bat-derived cell lines and organoids, simulate chronic stress, and quantify immune responses and viral replication. In addition to advancing fundamental knowledge by mechanistically linking ecophysiological stressors to cellular pathways, this project will strengthen collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Oklahoma. By establishing an integrated field-to-laboratory workflow and novel in vitro resources, this project will position both institutions to co-lead future interdisciplinary research on ecoimmunology, host–pathogen interactions, and zoonotic spillover risk.

Faculty Supervisor:

Arinjay Banerjee

Student:

Partner:

University of Oklahoma

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences and Technology; Biotechnology

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: