Advanced tools to find and count all viruses in human samples
Concentration and single virion analysis of the virome
This project creates new ways to find and count all the different viruses present in large samples of human body fluids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195630 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The project aims to improve how we find and count viruses in the human body, moving beyond current methods that often use small samples and look for one virus at a time. This work will develop new tools to process much larger samples, like 50-500 ml of urine, stool, saliva, or blood, from healthy individuals. One new tool will purify viruses from these large samples, making it possible to detect even tiny amounts of viral genetic material. Another tool will accurately count individual virus particles, providing a clearer picture of how many intact viruses are present. This effort is part of the Human Virome Project, which seeks to understand all the viruses living in and on us.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research may eventually benefit healthy individuals or those with various conditions by improving our ability to detect and understand viruses.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or diagnosis for a specific condition will not directly benefit from this tool development project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a more complete understanding of all the viruses in the human body, potentially improving how we detect and monitor viral infections and overall health.
How similar studies have performed: This project focuses on developing novel tools and pipelines for virus analysis, building upon existing methods but aiming for significantly improved sensitivity and scope.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dittmer, Dirk P — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dittmer, Dirk P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.