Creating a hamster model to study hepatitis B virus infection
Official title: Development of a hamster model for hepatitis B virus infection
Funded at Utah State University · NIH-10914409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special hamster model to better understand hepatitis B virus and find new treatments, especially for young children, by mimicking how the virus works in humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Logan, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $756,589 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI183883-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under the age of five who are living with chronic hepatitis B infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those who do not have hepatitis B infection may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a hamster model that can effectively replicate hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is crucial for understanding the virus's lifecycle and testing potential treatments. The approach involves using genetically modified hamster hepatocytes that can support HBV DNA replication and the formation of viral components necessary for infection. By establishing this model, researchers hope to overcome the limitations of current animal models that do not adequately mimic human HBV infection, particularly in children under five years old. This could lead to better therapeutic strategies for managing and potentially curing chronic HBV infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and a functional cure for hepatitis B, particularly benefiting children and others affected by chronic infection.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various studies on hepatitis B, the development of a hamster model specifically for HBV infection is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested before.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State University
Logan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zhongde — Utah State University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zhongde
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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HBV cure clues in people with and without HIV
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-
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This project will use immune-related blood markers to find liver cancer earlier in people with chronic hepatitis B, focusing on Hispanic adults.
-
HBV safety with long-acting HIV therapy for people with HIV
A study to understand how long-acting HIV meds affect hepatitis B in people living with HIV and how to best monitor and protect them.
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.