On Wednesday, UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester announced that Dr. Liisa Selin, pathology professor and principal investigator, and Dr. Anna Gil, instructor in pathology, received a five-year, $2.5-million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Through the grant the researchers will continue their investigation into the links between myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and viral infections. They will also examine the role of malfunctioning T-cells.
The viral infection portion of the study now includes COVID-19, meaning that the research could assist those with long-term, post-viral illnesses from COVID-19, per the press release.
In preliminary studies, Selin and Gil found certain T-cells were altered in patients with chronic ME/CFS as compared to those who do not have ME/CFS. This suggests that an aberrant response to an immunological trigger, like infection, results in a permanently dysregulated immune system, according to the UMass Chan announcement.
“We hope our research translates into concrete help for patients,” said Selin.
