How viral and human RNA changes drive COVID-19 damage and new treatment approaches
Official title: Project-004
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11517421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether blocking certain RNA-modifying enzymes together with CASP11 can lower virus levels and reduce severe COVID-19 damage in infected tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 10, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $764,939 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI175399-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11517421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially those at higher risk of severe disease or organ complications.
✕Less likely to help
People without COVID-19, those with mild illness that already resolved, or those with unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
What this research studies
This project looks at chemical changes made to both the coronavirus's RNA and our own RNA to see how they affect virus growth and organ damage. Scientists will use lab cell experiments and animal models to block enzymes that change RNA and to block CASP11, a protein linked to dangerous inflammation. They will track virus amounts, immune system reactions, and signs of lung and multi-organ injury to see if the combined treatment reduces severity. From my perspective, the goal is to find drug combinations that could one day help people with severe COVID-19 avoid cytokine storms and organ failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new antiviral therapies that reduce viral replication and prevent severe organ damage from COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab and animal studies have shown that blocking some RNA-modifying enzymes can lower SARS-CoV-2 replication, but combining CASP11 inhibition with RNA-targeting is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amer, Amal O — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Amer, Amal O
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.