Understanding how Hepatitis B virus packages and copies itself
Official title: Mechanisms of Hepadnavirus Assembly and Replication
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11399100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how HBV forms its protective capsid and how the virus makes a copy of its DNA inside human liver cells, with the goal of finding new ways to stop chronic infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 1999 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $465,952 |
| NIH project number | 5R37AI043453-29 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with HBV infection who may benefit from therapies targeting viral replication and CCC DNA formation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HBV infection or those not eligible for HBV-related research may not benefit.
What this research studies
Hepatitis B can lead to serious liver disease, and stopping CCC DNA formation is key to a cure. The project extends work on how viral nucleocapsids uncoat and release DNA, which may reveal new targets to prevent infection. Researchers will create cell-free systems and study mouse liver cells to pinpoint where HBV replication goes wrong or is suppressed. The work aims to connect viral mechanics with how the immune system detects HBV DNA. If successful, these insights could guide future therapies that limit persistent infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could pave the way for new treatments that prevent HBV persistence and reduce liver disease risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on HBV uncoating and CCC DNA formation has shown mechanistic progress, with room for translation to therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Jianming — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hu, Jianming
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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.