Investigating how enteroviruses assemble and mature
Official title: Understanding the fundamental enterovirus capsid assembly and maturation pathway.
Funded at University of Leeds · NIH-11044132 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how enteroviruses, which can make young children very sick, come together and grow, with the goal of finding new ways to create medicines that can help fight these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Leeds NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (England, UNITED KINGDOM) |
| Project start | March 14, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $522,903 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI169457-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044132 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young children and infants who are at higher risk for severe enterovirus infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with enterovirus infections who are not young children or who have other underlying health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the assembly and maturation process of enteroviruses, which are known to cause serious diseases, particularly in young children. By studying the viral proteins and their interactions, the research aims to uncover critical steps in the virus lifecycle that could be targeted for antiviral drug development. The methodology involves biochemical assays and bioinformatics to analyze the structural changes that occur during virus assembly. This knowledge could lead to the creation of new antiviral therapies to combat enterovirus infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective antiviral treatments for enterovirus infections, potentially reducing hospitalizations and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting viral assembly processes for antiviral development, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Leeds
England, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stonehouse, Nicola J — University of Leeds
- Study coordinator: Stonehouse, Nicola J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How non-polio enteroviruses build their outer shell
Researchers are learning how non-polio enteroviruses build and mature their protective shell so we can better prevent illnesses like hand, foot and mouth disease and flaccid myelitis.
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.