Understanding how certain viruses evade the immune system
Official title: Separating the molecular determinants that govern the evolution of Orthoflavivirus NS5-mediated IFN antagonism
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11162876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses that can make people very sick manage to hide from our immune system, focusing on a specific part of the virus, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,538 |
| NIH project number | 1F31AI191695-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11162876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals affected by flavivirus infections, such as those with Zika, Dengue, or West Nile virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-flavivirus related infections or conditions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how flaviviruses, which can cause serious diseases, manage to evade the immune response in their hosts. By focusing on a specific viral protein called NS5, the study aims to uncover the different mechanisms these viruses use to suppress the body's natural defenses. The approach involves analyzing the interactions between the virus and host immune factors, which could lead to new insights into viral pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of how these viruses operate, potentially leading to improved treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antiviral therapies for diseases caused by flaviviruses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding viral mechanisms of immune evasion, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bednarski, Eva — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Bednarski, Eva
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
Genetically Validated PCOS Subtypes for Better Diagnosis and Risk Stratification
Aimed at women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this project uses genetic data and patient characteristics to define distinct PCOS subtypes and improve how we diagnose and estimate risk.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Understanding why some brain regions and cells accumulate tau in Alzheimer’s and related diseases
Researchers are studying why certain brain areas and neuron types accumulate tau protein in Alzheimer’s and related conditions, and how this leads to brain changes and symptoms.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
-
Aging and brain injury connection: learning how late-life TBI relates to Alzheimer’s and related dementias
This grant looks at whether traumatic brain injuries in people 65 and older are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, using a large, harmonized set of long-term aging studies.
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.