Cryogenic imaging to understand how AAV viruses infect and package their genes
Official title: Cryogenic nanoimaging of AAV infection and packaging.
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11389257 · Data updated 2026-11-12
AAV gene-delivery viruses will be examined with advanced cryo-imaging to see exactly how they move into and release their genetic material in human-like cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $599,527 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI190168-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389257 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who may benefit from AAV-based gene therapies could be affected by this research in the long term, particularly if it informs safer, more effective delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is unlikely during the basic imaging studies, though long-term improvements in gene therapy safety and efficacy are anticipated.
What this research studies
This project uses cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy and nanotomography to watch AAV particles as they approach, attach to, and enter cells, and to observe how the viral genome leaves the capsid. By imaging perinuclear and intranuclear stages at subnanometer resolution, researchers hope to identify bottlenecks that require high doses clinically. The work includes perturbing genome packaging to understand what controls packaging efficiency and genome delivery. The findings could reveal new targets to improve efficiency and safety of AAV-based gene therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more efficient and safer gene therapies that need lower doses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous high-resolution imaging studies have advanced understanding of AAV entry, with ongoing work building on these techniques.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaelber, Jason T — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Kaelber, Jason T
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.