How the common cold virus hijacks parts of human cells to copy itself
Nuclear functions co-opted by human rhinovirus during replication in the cytoplasm of infected cells
This research looks at how the common cold (rhinovirus) pulls proteins from the cell nucleus into the cell body to help the virus make more copies, with the hope of identifying ways to stop infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160487 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, this work uses human cells in the laboratory to see which nuclear proteins the rhinovirus moves into the cytoplasm during infection. Scientists compare the protein makeup of the nucleus and cytoplasm in infected versus uninfected cells using proteomics and cell biology methods, and they use imaging and functional tests to follow key proteins. The team then alters those host proteins or the transport pathways to see how that affects viral replication. The approach aims to find host steps the virus relies on that could become targets for future antiviral drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is a laboratory study using human cell samples and does not enroll patients for clinical treatment or interventions.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate new treatments for colds are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic lab research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new targets for antiviral treatments that shorten or prevent rhinovirus infections.
How similar studies have performed: Similar protein-mapping and cell-biology approaches have identified host factors for other picornaviruses and occasionally revealed targets that progressed toward antiviral strategies.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Semler, Bert L — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Semler, Bert L
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.