High-resolution imaging of spiral protein and viral filaments
Cryo-EM of Helical Protein and Nucleoprotein Polymers at Near Atomic Resolution
Researchers are improving ultra-high-resolution cryo-EM imaging of spiral protein fibers and virus filaments to help scientists understand infections and diseases linked to these structures and ultimately benefit patients with infectious or protein-aggregation conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321560 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team uses cryo-electron microscopy to freeze and photograph tiny helical protein assemblies so their 3D shapes can be seen at near-atomic detail. They will image bacterial pili and flagella, bacterial secretion systems, archaeal viruses, actin filaments, and amyloid-like peptide tubes. By working across many different filaments and improving detectors, software, and computing, they aim to create general methods that help researchers study these structures more easily. Those clearer structures can guide future drug, vaccine, or diagnostic development targeting filament-related diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with infections caused by filament-forming bacteria, survivors or contacts of filamentous viral infections, or patients with amyloid-related disorders might be relevant candidates to contribute samples or participate in follow-on translational studies.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment benefits are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit because this is a laboratory imaging project focused on basic structural knowledge.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal precise targets on bacterial and viral filaments or amyloid fibers that speed development of better antibiotics, antivirals, or therapies for protein-aggregation diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Cryo-EM has already produced many near-atomic structures and informed drug and vaccine research, so the approach is proven though applying it broadly to diverse helical polymers is still advancing.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egelman, Edward H. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Egelman, Edward H.
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.