Developing small molecules to enhance the body's defense against COVID-19
Official title: Host Defense Small Molecule Development for COVID-19 Treatment by Targeting Lysosome
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10892269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new tiny molecules that can help your body fight off COVID-19 better by keeping a key protein called TFEB active, which gets lowered when the virus attacks, and it’s testing these potential helpers in the lab and with animals to see how well they work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $785,479 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172935-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of severe COVID-19 infection or those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already recovered from COVID-19 and do not have ongoing symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new small molecules that can boost the body's natural defenses against COVID-19 by targeting the lysosome, a part of the cell involved in fighting infections. The researchers have identified a specific protein, TFEB, that plays a crucial role in this defense mechanism, which decreases when the virus infects cells. By screening a large library of compounds, they have found potential inhibitors that can help maintain TFEB levels, thereby enhancing the body's ability to combat the virus. The study involves both laboratory experiments and animal models to test the effectiveness of these compounds in reducing viral load.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve the body's ability to fight COVID-19 and its variants.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting host defense mechanisms for viral infections, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yuan — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yuan
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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.