Building mouse models for a new SEND mRNA delivery system
Official title: Prototype Mouse Models for SEND-Based mRNA Delivery and Technology Development
Funded at University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-11361271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a natural cell-based way to carry therapeutic mRNA into target cells, with the goal of making gene and mRNA therapies safer and more effective for people with genetic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Jackson, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $322,229 |
| NIH project number | 7R01GM149756-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with inherited or genetic diseases that might be treated by gene replacement or mRNA therapies are the eventual candidates who could benefit from future trials based on this technology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to gene or mRNA-based approaches, or those needing immediate therapy, are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical mouse-focused work.
What this research studies
Researchers are creating and using mouse models to test a recently discovered system called SEND, which packages mRNA inside PEG10 protein particles that can move between cells. They will engineer PEG10 capsids and partner proteins (fusogens) to carry different therapeutic mRNAs and watch how well these particles get into target tissues in living animals. The team will compare designs to improve targeting, stability, and safety before any human use. Findings will guide whether SEND-based delivery could move into future human trials for gene or mRNA therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a safer, more precise way to deliver gene or mRNA treatments to patients with genetic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory studies and initial mouse experiments show SEND can package and transfer mRNA between cells, but human testing has not yet occurred and clinical benefit remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi Med Ctr
Jackson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gurumurthy, Channabasavaiah — University of Mississippi Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Gurumurthy, Channabasavaiah
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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.