High-security lab support for Ebola and Marburg viruses
High Biocontainment (BSL4/ABSL4) core for replication competent virus work
This project runs a secure BSL‑4 laboratory that helps scientists learn how Ebola and Marburg viruses infect cells and animals to support future tests, treatments, and vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090524 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this core operates the high-containment BSL‑4 lab where researchers safely grow and handle Ebola and Marburg viruses under strict safety controls. The team maintains virus stocks, creates recombinant viruses, prepares purified virus material, and uses transgenic rodents and other animal models to study infection. They apply a novel protein-antibody plus viral RNA FISH staining method with automated microscopy to visualize viral proteins and RNA inside infected cells and tissues. These laboratory services supply materials and data that multiple linked projects need to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This core does not enroll patients and instead provides laboratory support for research projects rather than recruiting people for clinical participation.
Not a fit: People without Ebola or Marburg exposure and those seeking direct clinical care would not receive direct benefit from the core's laboratory activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the core's work could accelerate development of better diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments for Ebola and Marburg infections.
How similar studies have performed: High-containment labs and animal models have supported development of filovirus vaccines and therapies before, while the core's specific staining and imaging approach is a newer, more detailed technique.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davey, Robert a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Davey, Robert a
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.