How enveloped viruses fuse with cell membranes and how flexible proteins interact with membranes
Advancing our knowledge of viral membrane fusion and of IDP-membrane interactions by ESR
The team uses specialized physical methods to learn how viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV merge with human cell membranes to help find ways to stop infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11307053 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Cornell use electron spin resonance (ESR) and other biophysical tools to study how viral fusion peptides and intrinsically disordered proteins interact with cell membranes. They focus on enveloped viruses including SARS‑CoV‑2, SARS‑1, MERS, Ebola, influenza, and HIV and on how calcium and other factors change membrane properties that allow viral entry. This work is laboratory-based and does not enroll patients, but it aims to pinpoint molecular steps in membrane fusion that could be targeted by future therapies. Findings may guide the design of drugs or vaccines that block viruses from entering human cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients or volunteers; it focuses on laboratory experiments with viral proteins and model membranes.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatment for an active viral infection are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new molecular targets to block virus entry and inform development of antivirals or preventive strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous ESR and biophysical studies by this group and others have revealed important membrane effects of fusion peptides, providing promising mechanistic leads though clinical translation is still nascent.
Where this research is happening
Ithaca, United States
- Cornell University — Ithaca, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freed, Jack H — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Freed, Jack H
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.