Targeting a shared viral protein to treat enterovirus infections
Enteroviral 2C protein as a therapeutic target
Researchers are developing medicines that block a viral protein called 2C to help prevent and treat enterovirus infections in infants and children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a viral enzyme called 2C that many non-polio enteroviruses share. Scientists will study how 2C works at the molecular level and how existing and new compounds stop its activity. The team will use lab-grown cells, viral samples, and biochemical and structural methods to define how these drugs act across many enterovirus types. The ultimate goal is to guide the design of broad antiviral drugs that could protect infants and children from current and emerging enterovirus strains.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children, especially infants and young children at risk for enterovirus infection, would be the likely future candidates for treatments developed from this research.
Not a fit: People with infections caused by non-enterovirus pathogens and those seeking an immediate clinical treatment should not expect direct benefit from this early-stage lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that prevent or treat serious enterovirus infections in young children.
How similar studies have performed: Some compounds that block 2C have shown activity against multiple enteroviruses in laboratory studies, but no broadly effective 2C-targeting drug has yet been proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cameron, Craig E. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Cameron, Craig E.
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.