How Bacteriophage T4 Packs Its Genome and How That Could Help Gene Therapy
Official title: Structural Mechanisms Of Genome Flow In Bacteriophage T4 And Their Biomedical Applications
Funded at Catholic University of America · NIH-11257289 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how a virus called bacteriophage T4 packs and releases its DNA, and they aim to use those insights to develop a gene therapy approach for muscular dystrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Catholic University of America NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $470,093 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175340-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11257289 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with muscular dystrophy who may benefit from advances in gene therapy approaches informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for future gene therapy trials or not affected by muscular dystrophy may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses the bacteriophage T4 as a model to understand how a virus controls DNA movement into and out of its capsid with precision. By combining genetics, biochemistry, and cryo-electron microscopy, scientists will create detailed atomic-level pictures of the DNA packaging motor and its states. The work will test a new idea of a molecular valve that governs genome flow, which could inform future biomedical applications including gene delivery strategies. The findings could illuminate how similar mechanisms operate in other viruses and potentially guide safer, more effective gene therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the knowledge could enable more precise gene delivery approaches for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using cryo-EM to reveal viral packaging machinery have shown that detailed structures can guide therapeutic concepts, though translating this to humans remains complex.
Where this research is happening
-
Catholic University of America
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rao, Venigalla B. — Catholic University of America
- Study coordinator: Rao, Venigalla B.
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.