SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Program Leads to Virus Research Innovation Alongside Outcomes

The Swine Health Information Center partnered with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff in 2024 to fund a $4 million research program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the US swine herd. As an outcome from one H5N1 funded project, a recent article, “How new approach methods are reshaping virology research,” was published in the March 2026 Journal of Virology. The article highlights how new approach methods (NAMs) are transforming virus research and offers important insights in support of SHIC’ goals to advance innovative tools and address emerging threats such as H5N1.  

The complete article can be found here in the Journal of Virology.    

Led by principal investigator, Dr. Cody Warren, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, the study’s central theme is the development and application of advanced in vitro systems that better replicate real-world viral infections. Highlighted technologies include air-liquid interface cultures, precision-cut lung slices, and organoids which allow researchers to model respiratory infections in ways that closely mimic natural disease processes.  

This work underscores a broader scientific shift away from traditional animal models toward emerging technologies that are scalable, laboratory-based and computer driven. Through the SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Program, research projects are helping to actively accelerate these technologies for further benefits to swine health and pork producers. For influenza viruses like H5N1, which pose risks to swine and human health, such models are particularly valuable for helping to understand characteristics such as cross-species transmission, tissue tropism, and pathogenicity. These systems preserve key structural and functional characteristics of tissues, enabling studies on how viruses infect hosts, replicate, and trigger immune responses. Relevant to pork producers and swine veterinarians, this can provide key knowledge for management of influenza viruses. 

Swine health research contributes to innovation by supporting the development and refinement of these technologies for animal health applications. By investing in research that adapts or extends NAMs to swine and agricultural contexts, SHIC helps bridge the gap between human biomedical advances and livestock disease management. This includes improving experimental consistency, expanding access to high-quality biological models, and enabling earlier, more precise detection of emerging pathogens. 

As outlined in the publication, another key advancement is the use of renewable cell systems such as those derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These systems provide a consistent, scalable source of biologically relevant cells, helping to overcome limitations associated with donor variability and tissue availability. They also allow for genetic manipulation, enabling targeted investigation of host-virus interactions. For emerging influenza strains like H5N1, this capability is critical for identifying host susceptibility factors and evaluating potential intervention strategies. It is important that these tools are adapted to research on swine health for application to US pork production. 

The article also emphasizes the growing role of computational biology as a component of modern virus research. Computer models have the capability to predict viral behavior, identify potential therapeutics, and simulate outbreak dynamics. The models are powered by large datasets and artificial intelligence, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional experimental methods. In the context of H5N1, computational tools can help forecast mutation patterns, assess transmission risk, and inform surveillance strategies. SHIC-funded initiatives that incorporate data-driven approaches contribute to a more proactive and predictive disease management framework, strengthening preparedness across the pork industry. 

Importantly, the study highlights that while NAMs offer significant advantages, they are most effective when integrated into a broader, tiered research strategy. Early-stage screening and hypothesis generation can be conducted using computational and in vitro systems, followed by targeted validation in whole-animal models when necessary. This balanced approach can improve efficiency while maintaining scientific rigor.  

NAMs may enable faster identification of emerging swine viruses, improve understanding of virus-host interactions, and help evaluate vaccines and therapeutics. For the swine industry, these advancements can translate into earlier detection of threats like H5N1, more effective surveillance systems, and enhanced capacity to mitigate disease impacts. 

Projects funded through the SHIC/FFAR/NPB H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program are helping to fill knowledge gaps on H5N1 for the US pork industry while also supporting innovation in new approach methods for virus research. Through its collaborative funding and strategic focus, SHIC’s funding of applied research helps to ensure that such methodologies are not only investigated but also translated into practical tools and protocols for industry use on real-world challenges. Next-generation technologies help to strengthen the industry’s ability to detect, understand, and control emerging swine  diseases for the protection of US herd health. 

Reference:

Liu M, Faris JG, Panfil AR, Warren CJ. 2026. How new approach methods are reshaping virology research. J Virol 100:e01326-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01326-25

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research  

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.  

Swine Health Information Center  

The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at [email protected] or Dr. Lisa Becton at [email protected].