How a major herpes simplex virus protein helps the virus form infectious particles
Functions of the largest HSV-1 virion protein, pUL36
Researchers are looking at a key protein used by herpes simplex virus type 1 to build infectious virus particles, which could help people affected by cold sores, eye infections, or serious brain infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291827 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, scientists will focus on the viral protein pUL36 that sits between the virus capsid and outer layers and is essential for making infectious HSV-1 particles. They'll use lab-grown cells, viral particles, and molecular tools to map which parts of pUL36 do which jobs during virus assembly and maturation. The team will alter or block the protein and watch how those changes affect virus formation and release. Although this is basic laboratory research, the results could identify steps that drugs or vaccines might target in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is primarily lab-based and does not enroll people, but patients with HSV-1 (recurrent cold sores, eye infections, or prior encephalitis) might be relevant for future sample-donation or follow-on studies.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment or those without HSV-1 infections should not expect direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for drugs or vaccines that prevent or reduce HSV-1 infections and their complications.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory work has shown that disrupting viral assembly can block HSV replication, but focused targeting of the pUL36 protein is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Desai, Prashant J — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Desai, Prashant J
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.