Understanding how coronavirus exoribonuclease complex works
Official title: Mechanistic insights into multifaceted roles of coronavirus exoribonuclease complex
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11085103 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the coronavirus works to make copies of itself and how it helps the virus stay strong, with the hope of finding new ways to treat COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $382,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150607-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085103 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals affected by COVID-19 or those at high risk of severe disease due to the virus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with or at risk for coronavirus may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the replication and transcription of the coronavirus genome, focusing on a specific complex known as the exoribonuclease (ExoN) complex. By examining how this complex interacts with viral proteins and its dual role in proofreading and capping viral RNA, the research aims to uncover critical insights that could lead to new therapeutic strategies. The approach involves biochemical and biological modeling to explore these interactions and their implications for the virus's life cycle.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for coronavirus infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on coronaviruses, the specific focus on the ExoN complex and its dual functions represents a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Yang — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Yang, Yang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of BCAR4 lncRNA in placental cell differentiation
A small NIH grant is funding research into how a placenta-specific RNA, BCAR4, helps placental cells mature properly during pregnancy.
-
Leucine-rich repeat peptide drugs to boost cancer therapy
A new grant is exploring tiny protein fragments from decorin and biglycan, delivered in nanoparticles, to help existing cancer drugs work better and overcome resistance.
-
Modular platform to design bottromycin antibiotics
A new, scalable way to make bottromycin antibiotics and test smartly designed versions that could treat drug-resistant bacteria.
-
Next-generation tiny, wireless photoacoustic imaging with LED light for cancer care
A small, battery-powered system uses fast LED light to create real-time images of blood vessels and lymphatics to help cancer patients and others with related conditions.
-
Fighting filarial infections with smarter drug targets
A new study at Iowa State University is exploring how certain parasite channels respond to drugs to develop better treatments for lymphatic filariasis and related infections.
-
Surveillance of antibiotic resistance in bacteria from meat and seafood sold in Iowa
This project watches for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in raw retail meat and seafood in Iowa to help protect people, animals, and the environment.
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.