Tools to map the hidden viruses in the human microbiome
Official title: Computational tools for illuminating the dark matter of the human virome
Funded at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories · NIH-11373024 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant aims to create new computer tools to find and understand the many unknown viruses that live with our gut bacteria and may affect our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richland, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,139,076 |
| NIH project number | 4U01DE034176-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373024 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals whose health may be affected by the microbiome and virome, such as those with conditions linked to gut health or immune function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without microbiome-related health concerns may not directly benefit from this basic science-focused project.
What this research studies
This project will develop and refine computational methods to detect viral sequences in microbiome data and to describe how these viruses and their bacterial hosts interact. It will use graph-based assembly and new pipelines to identify viral genes and auxiliary functions that viruses carry. By visualizing predicted virus-host relationships, the work aims to illuminate how the virome influences human health and microbiome balance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from better understanding of virus-bacteria interactions that influence health and disease, potentially guiding future diagnostics and therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that characterizing viromes improves understanding of microbiome dynamics; this project builds on that foundation with enhanced tools.
Where this research is happening
-
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
Richland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdermott, Jason Edward — Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
- Study coordinator: Mcdermott, Jason Edward
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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.