How common respiratory viruses interact with human lung cells
PROJECT 2: Determine clinically relevant host-viral dependency networks for respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2
This project looks at how viruses like SARS‑CoV‑2, influenza, and RSV take over human lung cells to point to new treatment targets for people with airway infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11088234 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will infect primary human lung cells and 3D human airway organoids and measure global changes in proteins and gene activity using proteomics and transcriptomics. They will combine those results with human genetic (GWAS) and other -omics datasets to find molecular signatures linked to worse illness. Using rapid virus cloning and genome‑wide genetic screens, they will identify host factors the viruses depend on and test how altering those factors changes infection. The goal is to highlight host pathways that could be targeted by therapies that work against multiple respiratory viruses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Candidates would mainly be people who can provide lung tissue samples or have existing genetic/clinical data related to COVID‑19, influenza, or other acute respiratory infections for research use.
Not a fit: People looking for an immediate treatment or vaccine would not directly benefit from participating in this laboratory and data research project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new therapeutic targets that reduce severe illness from multiple respiratory viruses.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies using organoids, proteomics, and genetic screens have identified viral host factors before, but turning those findings into approved therapies has been limited so far.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ott, Melanie Maria — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ott, Melanie Maria
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.