How coronaviruses adapt and evolve through RNA recombination
Official title: RNA Recombination in Coronaviruses
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11063997 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the coronavirus, especially the one that causes COVID-19, changes and adapts over time, which helps it avoid our immune system and resist treatments, so we can find better ways to fight it and its new versions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $502,084 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168232-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063997 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 or those at risk of infection, particularly during outbreaks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with coronaviruses or those with unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, utilize RNA recombination to adapt and evolve. By examining the mechanisms of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases and their mutation rates, the study aims to understand how these viruses can evade immune responses and resist antiviral therapies. The researchers will analyze patient samples and use advanced techniques like 'Tiled-ClickSeq' to identify patterns in RNA recombination that contribute to the emergence of new viral variants. This work is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat COVID-19 and its variants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved antiviral therapies and strategies to prevent the emergence of new coronavirus variants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding RNA recombination in coronaviruses can lead to significant insights into viral evolution and treatment strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Routh, Andrew Laurence — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Routh, Andrew Laurence
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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.