How emerging bat-derived pararubulaviruses infect human tissues and cause disease
Understanding the Tropism and Pathogenesis of Pararubulaviruses
This project looks at how two bat-related viruses infect human cells and cause illness using human organ samples and animal models to help protect people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235204 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use human airway and organ explant samples to see which human cell types the Menangle and Sosuga viruses infect. They will apply genetic tools to identify the receptors and molecular steps the viruses use to enter and spread in human cells. Researchers will build and study animal models that reproduce key features of human infection, including effects on pregnancy seen with Menangle virus. Combining human tissue work, reverse genetics, and animal studies aims to reveal how these viruses cause disease and inform ways to prevent or treat infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant to this work include adults exposed to Menangle or Sosuga virus, pregnant people in outbreak settings, and individuals who can donate tissues for organ explant studies.
Not a fit: Patients without exposure to these specific bat-derived pararubulaviruses or those with unrelated conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide development of better diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments and improve preparedness for outbreaks of these emerging viruses.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory organ-explant methods and reverse-genetics approaches have successfully clarified infection mechanisms for other paramyxoviruses, but applying them to pararubulaviruses is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Benhur — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Lee, Benhur
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.