Detecting hidden RNA rearrangements in the COVID‑19 virus
Computational analysis of transcriptome rearrangements in SARS-CoV-2
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV OF NJ CAMDEN · NIH-11098227
This project builds free computer tools to find unusual RNA rearrangements in the COVID‑19 virus that could point to new targets for treatments or vaccines for people affected by COVID‑19.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV OF NJ CAMDEN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CAMDEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11098227 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will re‑analyze large collections of SARS‑CoV‑2 genetic data using new computational software designed to find non‑canonical RNA junctions that existing tools may have missed. The team will characterize the properties of these junctions and generate hypotheses about whether they produce previously unknown viral proteins or affect how the virus behaves. The software pipeline will be released as open‑source so other scientists can use and improve it for studying SARS‑CoV‑2 and other pathogens. The work is primarily computational and aims to guide future laboratory studies or clinical research.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who had COVID‑19 and can provide viral samples or whose viral sequences are already in public databases are most directly relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or those with health issues unrelated to viral infections are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this computational project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new viral features that become targets for drugs or vaccines, improving treatments and future pandemic preparedness.
How similar studies have performed: Genome‑level analyses have previously uncovered important SARS‑CoV‑2 RNAs and proteins, but focused searches for these specific non‑canonical junctions are relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
CAMDEN, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV OF NJ CAMDEN — CAMDEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GRIGORIEV, ANDREY — RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV OF NJ CAMDEN
- Study coordinator: GRIGORIEV, ANDREY
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.