Creating a 3D skin model to study human herpes simplex virus infection

Modeling of human HSV infection: development of immune-competent 3D skin-on-chip with vascular perfusion

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10761735

This study is creating a special 3D model of human skin to help researchers learn how the herpes virus interacts with our immune system, which could lead to better treatments for people dealing with this infection.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10761735 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a three-dimensional (3D) skin-on-chip model that mimics human tissue to better understand how the herpes simplex virus (HSV) infects and interacts with the immune system. By using this advanced model, researchers aim to replicate the complex interactions that occur in human skin, which traditional 2D cell cultures and animal models cannot accurately represent. The goal is to improve drug testing and efficacy assessments for treatments targeting HSV and other infectious diseases, ultimately leading to better therapeutic options for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are affected by herpes simplex virus infections.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of infections or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for herpes simplex virus infections and potentially other infectious diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using 3D tissue models for studying infectious diseases, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.