Understanding how coronavirus spike proteins change shape to enter cells
Official title: The role of conformational dynamics of enveloped virus spike proteins in cell entry
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler · NIH-11387717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to better understand how spike proteins on enveloped viruses change shape over time to help viruses enter cells and how antibodies recognize them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tyler, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $372,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151169-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with or at risk for viral infections where spike proteins play a key role in entry and immune recognition.
✕Less likely to help
People without exposure to enveloped viruses or without autoimmune considerations may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how spike proteins bend and rearrange during the process of viral entry, using time-resolved methods to map the sequence of shape changes. By building a generic model of these dynamics, it aims to illuminate how different viruses fuse with cell membranes. The findings could guide the design of vaccines and antiviral strategies that block these steps. The research builds on prior work with SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-1 spike proteins to extend insights to a broader set of viruses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform vaccines and therapies by identifying moments when spike proteins are vulnerable to intervention.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown progress with time-resolved analyses of spike dynamics, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
Tyler, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Maolin — University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
- Study coordinator: Lu, Maolin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Lipid damage and a form of cell death that turns on blood clotting
This grant explores how certain lipid byproducts and inflammatory cell death trigger tissue factor to start dangerous blood clots, with the aim of finding targets to prevent clot-related heart and vessel problems.
-
Targeting Runx3 to treat a serious immune disease in children
A new approach aims to help kids with a dangerous immune condition by targeting Runx3 to calm overactive immune cells.
-
Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education
A regional center partner network is working to improve safety and health for agricultural workers and their communities through research, outreach, and translation of best practices.
-
Targeting inflammation and clot breakdown to boost empyema treatment
A patient-focused study tests a low-dose alteplase plus an inflammation-blocking peptide to improve drainage and survival for adults with empyema who can’t undergo surgery.
-
Gab2-MALT1 signaling and venous clots: a new path to safer therapies
A doctor-scientist team is studying how a specific cell signaling pathway (Gab2-MALT1) contributes to venous clots, with the aim of finding safer ways to prevent and treat them.
-
DOCK2 and scarring of the lung lining (pleural fibrosis)
This work looks at whether the protein DOCK2 helps drive scarring of the lung lining in people with pleural fibrosis.
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.