Integrated analysis of fusion protein changes to understand how viruses enter cells
Official title: DMS/NIGMS 2: Integrated Analysis of Fusion Protein Conformational Changes for Virus Entry
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11376568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how viral proteins change shape to fuse with host cells, using herpesvirus gB as a model to uncover steps that enable infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $284,953 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM152745-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376568 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a clinical trial; purely a basic science project using models and experiments; no patient recruitment is planned.
✕Less likely to help
There are no direct benefits to patients in this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project combines computer modeling, machine learning, and lab experiments to map how viral fusion proteins rearrange during the entry process. By focusing on the HSV gB protein, it aims to create a multiscale picture of membrane fusion and identify the key conformational steps that drive infection. The work could help us better understand how enveloped viruses like HIV, influenza, and coronaviruses fuse with human cells. Results may reveal new targets for therapies that block virus entry. The study is led by researchers at Washington State University who bring decades of experience in fusion biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how viruses fuse with human cells could lead to new strategies to prevent infections or block virus entry.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in viral fusion has shown that conformational changes are critical for infection, supporting potential for impactful findings here.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Jin — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Liu, Jin
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.