How herpes simplex virus changes the RNA inside infected cells
Viral disruption of host transcriptome integrity
This research looks at how herpes simplex virus alters RNA processing inside human cells during infection to better understand how the virus takes over cell machinery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258961 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, scientists are studying how HSV-1 and a viral protein called ICP27 change the way human cells make and handle RNA. They use lab-grown human cells, molecular tools, sequencing, and imaging to track RNA modifications, splicing, stability, and where key proteins move inside the cell. The team focuses on changes to a common RNA mark called m6A and how those changes contribute to the virus shutting off normal cell protein production. Their goal is to pinpoint the steps the virus uses so researchers can consider new ways to block those processes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for any future patient-facing parts of this work would be people with active or recurrent HSV-1 infections who are willing to donate samples or join clinical follow-ups at the research site.
Not a fit: People without HSV-1 infection or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets to prevent or treat herpes infections by stopping the virus from hijacking cell RNA machinery.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown that viruses change RNA modifications and that ICP27 influences host RNA, but the detailed mechanisms and their relative contributions are not yet fully worked out.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Angus C — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Angus C
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.