Understanding how ACE2 is regulated to improve treatments for COVID-19
Official title: Transcriptional regulation of ACE2 and the adaption of SARS-CoV-2
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10739306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the body controls a key protein that the COVID-19 virus uses to enter our cells, which could help find new ways to treat COVID-19 and improve care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | November 11, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI168523-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10739306 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of severe COVID-19 or have underlying conditions that affect ACE2 expression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by COVID-19 or do not have conditions related to ACE2 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms behind the regulation of ACE2, the primary receptor that SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter human cells. By utilizing advanced techniques like CRISPR to identify key host factors involved in ACE2 transcription, the study aims to uncover how different tissues express ACE2. The research will focus on four specific cell lines from various tissues, including lung and kidney, to provide insights that could lead to innovative treatments for COVID-19. Patients may benefit from this work as it could inform the development of new therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively target SARS-CoV-2 infection.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding viral entry mechanisms, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yiping — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yiping
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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.