Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 builds its outer shell and buds off
Official title: Elucidation of Assembly and Budding Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11386522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 assembles its protective envelope and leaves the cell, with the goal of identifying new ways to block the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $761,457 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI169896-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patients directly; the study uses laboratory models and cell systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with COVID-19 are not volunteers for this study.
What this research studies
Researchers at Purdue University will examine how the virus uses host cell lipids and proteins to assemble and bud from infected cells, using both lab experiments and computer analyses. The study combines biochemistry, biophysics, and cellular models to map the steps of viral envelope formation. Findings could reveal novel targets for therapies to stop the virus from multiplying and spreading. The work will be conducted in a controlled setting with appropriate safety facilities and protocols for handling infectious material.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that disrupt the virus’s ability to assemble and spread, potentially aiding antiviral development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that viral assembly mechanisms can reveal vulnerable steps for therapeutic intervention, though the exact lipid-protein interactions in SARS-CoV-2 are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stahelin, Robert Virgil — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Stahelin, Robert Virgil
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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.