How the flu virus's copying machinery controls its mutations
Functional and genetic constraints on influenza virus replication and fidelity
Researchers are figuring out how the flu virus makes copying errors so vaccines and antiviral drugs can be improved for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109453 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team focuses on the flu virus polymerase, the molecular machine that copies viral RNA and drives mutations that create new strains. They will combine evolutionary analyses of viral sequences with lab tests that measure mutation rates and with deep mutational scanning to see which polymerase changes are possible. Computer-based molecular dynamics and in vitro polymerase assays will help link specific genetic changes to how the enzyme works. Findings aim to show which polymerase changes are allowed or blocked, helping predict how new flu variants might arise.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People recently infected with influenza who can provide nasal or throat swabs or other virus-containing samples, or clinical sites that collect such samples, would be the most relevant contributors.
Not a fit: People without current influenza infection or with unrelated health issues are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help researchers predict dangerous flu variants and guide better vaccine and antiviral design.
How similar studies have performed: Related lab and computational approaches have been used successfully to map viral mutations before, and this project builds on those methods.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lauring, Adam — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Lauring, Adam
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.