Mapping hidden viruses throughout the body
Whole Body Deep Tissue Characterization of the Human Virome
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11192874
This project maps where different viruses live in deep body tissues of adults by studying postmortem samples and biopsies from people who had COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11192874 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This work looks for viruses across deep tissues by analyzing samples collected after sudden out-of-hospital deaths and from living adults with prior COVID-19. They will examine organs such as brain, heart, lung, liver, gut, lymph nodes, bone marrow and blood to see which viruses are present and how immune cells respond. Samples come from a long-standing postmortem program in San Francisco and from a UCSF biopsy program for adults with prior COVID-19. Researchers will apply modern laboratory approaches to detect viral genetic material and signs of inflammation in those tissues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who can donate blood or tissue samples, including people with prior COVID-19 and next-of-kin consenting to postmortem tissue donation after sudden death, are the main candidates.
Not a fit: Children, people unwilling to donate tissues or blood, and adults not in the COVID-19 or postmortem donation groups would not be included and would not directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal where viruses hide and how they trigger immune or inflammatory changes, helping guide better diagnostics, monitoring, or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has mapped viruses in blood or stool, but comprehensive deep-tissue virome mapping across many organs is relatively new and not yet widely established.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HENRICH, TIMOTHY JENSEN — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: HENRICH, TIMOTHY JENSEN
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.