Exploring the distribution and effects of viruses in human tissues
Official title: Whole Body Deep Tissue Characterization of the Human Virome
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10987809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different viruses are spread in the body, especially in people who have had sudden cardiac death or COVID-19, to learn more about how these viruses affect our immune system and health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,127,949 |
| NIH project number | 1U01AT012993-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 years old, particularly those who have experienced COVID-19 or sudden cardiac events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are under 21 years old or those without a history of COVID-19 or sudden cardiac death may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how viruses, known as the virome, are distributed throughout various tissues in the human body. By utilizing extensive tissue samples collected from individuals who experienced sudden cardiac death and those with prior COVID-19, the study aims to understand how these viruses persist in different anatomical environments and how the body's immune response varies. The research employs a combination of postmortem tissue analysis and ongoing biopsy programs to gather comprehensive data on viral presence and immune reactions. This approach provides a unique opportunity to uncover mechanisms that may lead to immune dysregulation or inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of viral persistence and its implications for immune health, potentially leading to improved treatments for viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in studying the human virome, but this specific approach focusing on deeper tissues is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henrich, Timothy Jensen — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Henrich, Timothy Jensen
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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.