Reconstructing ancient viral genomes to understand how viruses changed over time
Deciphering long-term virus evolution through the reconstruction of past viral genomes
Researchers will rebuild genomes of long-dead viruses from historical human remains to learn how viruses evolved, which could help people affected by viral diseases today.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127663 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will extract genetic and protein evidence of viruses from centuries-old human remains and preserved lung specimens using ancient DNA techniques, forensic proteomics, and improved RNA isolation. The team will reconstruct viral genomes and compare them with modern viruses to trace evolutionary changes and possible origins of past epidemics. As a patient, I would expect this work to clarify how some deadly RNA viruses emerged and adapted over time, improving our understanding of risks that affect communities today. The research uses museum and pathology collections rather than enrolling living patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll typical patients; people who could be involved are those who donate tissue to medical or museum collections or who participate in modern viral surveillance efforts tied to this research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for current infections are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this historical genomics research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve how we detect and prepare for future viral outbreaks by revealing long-term patterns of viral evolution and emergence.
How similar studies have performed: Previous archeovirology work has recovered genomes from historical DNA and some ancient viruses, but reconstructing centuries-old RNA virus genomes is more novel and technically challenging.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blanco-Melo, Daniel — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Blanco-Melo, Daniel
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.