How Viruses Get Their Genetic Material Inside Cells
Mechanism of Viral Genome Delivery into Cells
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · NIH-11141885
This research explores the fundamental ways viruses, including those that cause human diseases, deliver their genetic instructions into our cells.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11141885 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This grant aims to understand a basic but crucial step in how viruses infect cells: getting their genetic material inside. Researchers are looking at two different types of viruses – bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) and human viruses (herpesviruses) – to compare how they achieve this. They want to uncover the exact processes these viruses use to cross cell membranes and deliver their genetic information, whether into a bacterium or into the nucleus of a human cell. By understanding these fundamental mechanisms, we can learn more about how viral infections begin. This work builds on years of experience studying how things move in and out of the cell nucleus and how viruses package their genetic material.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patients, but future studies building on this knowledge could benefit individuals affected by viral infections, including herpesviruses.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how viruses deliver their genetic material could lead to new ways to stop infections or develop better antiviral treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on comparing bacteriophage and herpesvirus genome delivery mechanisms is novel, the principal investigator has a long track record of successful research in related fields of nucleocytoplasmic transport and viral genome packaging.
Where this research is happening
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM — BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CINGOLANI, GINO — UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- Study coordinator: CINGOLANI, GINO
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.