Understanding how a virus can cause persistent infections and its effects on the body
Official title: Cellular Programming in Persistent Versus Lytic Viral Infections
Funded at University of Maine Orono · NIH-11080316 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the JC virus behaves in the body, especially why it can stay harmless in healthy people but cause serious problems in those with weakened immune systems, like people with HIV, to help find new ways to prevent dangerous diseases like PML.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maine Orono NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orono, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $268,066 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM144265-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080316 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those living with HIV or receiving immunomodulatory therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with healthy immune systems and no risk factors for JCPyV-related diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular factors involved in JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) infections, focusing on how these interactions can lead to either persistent or lytic infections. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind JCPyV's ability to remain asymptomatic in healthy individuals while causing severe disease in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with HIV or undergoing immunomodulatory therapies. By exploring these virus-host cell interactions, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets for preventing the progression to fatal diseases like progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for preventing or managing severe viral infections in immunocompromised patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have shown success in understanding viral pathogenesis and developing antiviral therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maine Orono
Orono, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maginnis, Melissa — University of Maine Orono
- Study coordinator: Maginnis, Melissa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Tick exposure and how rural residents manage ticks in Maine
A research effort in rural Maine will look at environmental and social factors that influence how often people are exposed to ticks and whether they would consider tick-prevention practices.
-
Role of the body’s blood-pressure system in how our body fights flu in the lungs
This grant studies how the body’s RAAS system affects lung inflammation during influenza infection to understand why some people develop severe illness.
-
Tissue-specific roles of muscle-ECM adhesion in neuromuscular development and maintenance
Researchers are studying how muscle-ECM attachments and signaling keep nerves, muscles, and tendons working together in a healthy body, using zebrafish as a model to understand degenerative muscle diseases.
-
MultiNav: a gamified multisensory navigation system to help blind and visually impaired people
A new smartphone-based program uses game-like training and multisensory cues to help people who are blind or visually impaired learn and navigate their environments.
-
Apelin and how it helps aging muscles recover
This work looks at whether boosting a natural protein called apelin can help older muscles heal and stay stronger.
-
How the immune system causes muscle damage after the flu
Researchers are looking at how immune cells attack muscle during influenza infections to help people who get muscle pain, weakness, or high muscle enzymes after the flu.
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.