Understanding how herpes simplex virus stays dormant in the body
Official title: Regulation of HSV latency by Polycomb Silencing
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11110336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the herpes virus hides in the body and what keeps it from causing problems, with the hope of finding new ways to help people who have ongoing herpes infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $666,712 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177341-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a history of herpes simplex virus infections, particularly those experiencing recurrent outbreaks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never been infected with herpes simplex virus or those with other unrelated viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that allow the herpes simplex virus (HSV) to enter and maintain a latent state in the body, which can lead to serious diseases upon reactivation. The study focuses on a specific type of chromatin modification, known as H2AK119ub1, that may play a crucial role in suppressing HSV gene expression during latency. By examining how this modification is deposited on the viral genome, the research aims to uncover potential targets for therapies that could prevent reactivation of the virus. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for chronic HSV infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing the reactivation of herpes simplex virus, potentially reducing the incidence of related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding viral latency mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on H2AK119ub1 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cliffe, Anna Ruth — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Cliffe, Anna Ruth
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.