GlycoRNA on airway cells and RSV entry
Official title: Mechanisms of Cell-Surface GlycoRNAs in RSV Infection of the Airway
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11436082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how special cell-surface glycoRNAs help RSV virus attach and enter airway cells, with the aim of guiding new therapies for babies and older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $193,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI201751-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11436082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with RSV exposure or infection in settings where airway samples or related data could inform research, particularly infants and older adults.
✕Less likely to help
People not experiencing RSV infection or not contributing airway tissue samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at glycoRNAs on airway cells and how they help RSV bind to cells. Researchers will map glycoRNA sequences and structures that interact with the RSV receptor nucleolin on human airway epithelium grown at air-liquid interface. By using CRISPR-based approaches, they will test whether removing specific glycoRNA features stops RSV from entering cells. The goal is to identify targets for new vaccines or antiviral therapies that could block infection at its earliest step.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new ways to prevent or treat RSV infections in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that host receptors and glycan interactions influence RSV entry, with ongoing exploration of glycoRNAs as a novel entry factor.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qiu, Jianming — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Qiu, Jianming
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motor-Cognitive Training for Older Adults at Risk of Dementia
A Phase II trial tests a combined motor and cognitive training program for older adults at risk of dementia to see if it helps daily function and slows dementia onset.
-
MOVE Peds: Moving Toward Better Outcomes for Pediatric FSHD
A study in kids with a rare muscle disease (FSHD) will test how well certain outcomes reflect change and help guide future clinical trials.
-
How DNA methylation changes in our cells affect gene activity
This project studies how chemical changes to DNA, and the way DNA is packaged, influence how genes turn on or off in vertebrate cells.
-
Dietary oxysterols and metabolic dysfunction in the gut-liver axis
Aims to understand how oxidized cholesterol byproducts in processed foods affect gut and liver health, especially in adults with type 2 diabetes or related conditions.
-
Intermittent fasting and blood sugar in adults with diabetes
A study will look at how two forms of intermittent fasting might improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
-
Dysfunctional fat tissue and its link to fatty liver and diabetes
Researchers are studying how problems in fat tissue contribute to fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes in adults.
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.