Discovering new RNA shapes in viruses
Official title: Finding and folding novel RNA structures
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11195020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project builds computer and lab methods to find important RNA shapes inside viruses like SARS‑CoV‑2 so they can be targeted for new antiviral treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $315,768 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM133810-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People affected by viral infections such as COVID‑19 could become relevant for related follow‑up studies, for example donating viral samples or joining trials that use findings from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with nonviral conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic research right away.
What this research studies
You can expect researchers to use computer scans that break viral genomes into many overlapping pieces and predict which parts form stable RNA shapes. They then combine overlapping results to build consensus RNA structures and test the most promising ones in the lab. The team plans to improve this pipeline to find previously hidden regulatory RNA elements in human viruses. These discoveries may point to new molecular targets for antiviral drugs or other therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal viral RNA elements that lead to new antiviral drugs or therapies for infections like COVID‑19.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches from this team and others have previously found functional RNA motifs in viruses including SARS‑CoV‑2 and produced early therapeutic leads, so this builds on prior successes.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moss, Walter — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Moss, Walter
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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.