How certain viral RNAs start protein production without a cap
Official title: Structural and mechanistic studies of cap-independent genome translation in (+)-strand RNA viruses
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11373516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers study how certain viral RNAs in animals make proteins without the usual cap, using advanced 3D structures to understand the process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $376,819 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150869-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; laboratory research on viral RNA mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not expected in this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) and other RNA elements help viruses produce their proteins without a cap. Scientists will determine high-resolution structures of these RNAs using X-ray crystallography and special antibody fragments to help reveal how they recruit host ribosomes. Understanding these mechanisms could clarify how some animal viruses translate their genomes and may point to new antiviral targets. The work involves detailed molecular studies in a laboratory setting at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining detailed knowledge of viral translation mechanisms could guide the development of new antiviral strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has achieved partial structures and advances with IRES domains, suggesting this approach could yield full structures and new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koirala, Deepak — University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Study coordinator: Koirala, Deepak
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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.