Programmable HBV Capsid Particles for Targeted Cargo Delivery
Official title: Multimode Observation of Virus Capsid Assembly
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11385497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to engineer hepatitis B virus capsids into customizable delivery vehicles that can carry or display cargo for antiviral and therapeutic applications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | March 14, 2016 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $493,431 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI118933-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient enrollment is described in this grant; the research is foundational science on virus-like particles.
✕Less likely to help
There is no immediate patient involvement; benefits are anticipated in future translational applications.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on understanding how HBV capsids assemble and disassemble, then uses those insights to create virus-like particles that can package and release cargo in a controlled way. The team combines structural, single-molecule, and bulk studies to guide the design of programmable capsids and cargo targeting. They have demonstrated methods to attach cargo via high-affinity binding and to create holes and patches on the capsid surface for controlled cargo access. The goal is to turn detailed basic science into practical, tunable delivery systems that could be used in future therapies or research tools.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from new antiviral delivery platforms or research tools that enable precise cargo delivery at the cellular level.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that engineered capsids can be directed to cargo and modified for controlled release, with growing interest and incremental advances.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zlotnick, Adam — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Zlotnick, Adam
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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.