SARS-CoV-2 replication machinery: how it works and how to block it
Official title: Structure, function, and inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 replication-transcription complex
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11449410 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how the coronavirus copies its RNA and how drugs like remdesivir stop it, with the goal of making better antivirals for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $771,179 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI161278-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449410 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with COVID-19 or at risk of coronavirus infections who may benefit from improved antiviral therapies in the future.
✕Less likely to help
This basic research may not directly benefit a specific patient during the study period.
What this research studies
This project looks at the SARS-CoV-2 replication-transcription complex, including the RNA polymerase and its partners, to understand how the virus copies its RNA and how drugs interfere with that process. Using structural biology methods, the team will map how the polymerase interacts with RNA templates and with antiviral compounds. The work aims to reveal detailed mechanisms that could guide the design of more effective treatments. Findings could inform clinical strategies for treating COVID-19 and future coronavirus infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better antiviral strategies could lead to more effective treatments for COVID-19 and other coronaviruses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous structural studies have successfully revealed how coronaviruses replicate and how antivirals interact with them, supporting the potential for meaningful advances here.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Darst, Seth a. — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Darst, Seth a.
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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.