Sugar-based approaches to block and detect Influenza A
Targeting Influenza A Virus by a Carbohydrate-inspired Strategy
['FUNDING_R01'] · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · NIH-11250123
This project builds lab-made respiratory sugars and sugar-like molecules to help detect and block Influenza A viruses that cause flu in people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11250123 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The researchers are making complex sugar molecules (N-glycans) that mimic those on human respiratory cells using chemoenzymatic methods. They will place these sugars on glycan arrays to see exactly how influenza A hemagglutinin binds and how neuraminidase cleaves sugars during infection. That detailed mapping will help design better diagnostic tools and sugar-inspired antiviral compounds that stop the virus from attaching or spreading. Most work is done in the lab, but the findings could guide future tests or treatments for people with flu.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who currently have or are at risk for Influenza A infection, or who can donate respiratory samples, would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without influenza or those needing immediate clinical care are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable more accurate tests for specific influenza strains and lead to new sugar-inspired antivirals that reduce infection.
How similar studies have performed: Glycan-array studies have previously helped map how flu viruses bind to sugars, but synthesizing the complex, asymmetrically branched glycans proposed here is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WONG, CHI-HUEY — SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE
- Study coordinator: WONG, CHI-HUEY
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.