Investigating how a virus protein affects the body's ability to fight infections
Official title: Rift Valley fever virus NSs protein interacts with LC3 family members to inhibit antiviral autophagy
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-10996860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a virus that can make both animals and people sick interacts with our body's defense system, hoping to find new ways to fight it since there are no approved treatments or vaccines yet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 9, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $42,684 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AI181059-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of Rift Valley fever, particularly those in regions where the virus is prevalent.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Rift Valley fever or those who are already infected with the virus may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which poses a significant health threat to both animals and humans. The study aims to understand how the virus's nonstructural protein interacts with key proteins in the body's autophagy process, which is crucial for fighting infections. By examining these interactions, researchers hope to uncover new insights into viral replication and pathogenesis. This could lead to the development of effective antiviral strategies against RVFV, which currently lacks approved treatments or vaccines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new antiviral therapies for Rift Valley fever, improving patient outcomes and public health safety.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific interactions being studied are novel, previous research has shown that targeting viral proteins involved in autophagy can lead to successful antiviral strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Petraccione, Kaylee — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Petraccione, Kaylee
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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.