New mouse models to study hepatitis B infection and replication
Official title: Novel mouse models of hepatitis B virus infection and replication
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11318919 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team will create and study new mouse models to understand how hepatitis B virus infects the liver and replicates, with the goal of informing better treatments for people living with HBV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | June 21, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $708,659 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI183855-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11318919 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic or acute hepatitis B may benefit from future therapies developed from this work; this grant itself does not enroll patients.
✕Less likely to help
This basic research study does not involve direct patient participation.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop and characterize mouse models that mimic human hepatitis B infection and viral replication. The work focuses on understanding how HBV interacts with liver cells and the immune system in vivo, using innovative mouse systems. Findings could guide the development of new antiviral therapies that target HBV persistence and cccDNA in patients. The study relies on in vivo experiments with mice that carry human-related liver biology to mirror aspects of human disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could pave the way for new therapies that better clear HBV from the liver and reduce disease burden for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous HBV model systems have advanced understanding but gaps remain; this project seeks to improve in vivo modeling to bridge those gaps.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luo, Guangxiang George — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Luo, Guangxiang George
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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.