How viruses interact with human cells and lead to disease

Research Project 1: Discovery and dissection of virus-host interactions and pathogenetic mechanisms

NIH-funded research Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11397165

Researchers are mapping how viruses enter and damage human cells to guide the development of better treatments and vaccines for people affected by viral infections.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlbert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bronx, United States)
Project IDNIH-11397165 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project looks at the ways viruses attach to and hijack human cells using lab-grown human cells, patient samples, and model systems. Scientists will use genetic tools, advanced imaging, and molecular tests to identify the specific viral pieces and host factors that drive infection and harm. The team aims to find weak points that drugs, antibodies, or vaccines could target to stop infection or reduce disease. If patient samples are needed, they would be collected with informed consent at the research site in the Bronx.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with a history of or risk for serious viral infections who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples or share clinical information for research.

Not a fit: People whose health issues are unrelated to infectious viruses are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new antiviral drugs, antibody treatments, or vaccine targets that reduce illness from viral infections.

How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory approaches have previously helped identify targets that led to antiviral drugs and vaccines, though applying them to specific new viruses can be exploratory.

Where this research is happening

Bronx, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.