Understanding how the herpes virus hides and reactivates in nerve cells
Official title: HSV latency and reactivation in a human sensory neuronal model system
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11101340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the herpes virus can hide in your body and then come back to cause problems, with the goal of finding better ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 3, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,536 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI185862-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of HSV infections, particularly those experiencing recurrent outbreaks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never been infected with HSV or those with other unrelated viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1), which can remain dormant in nerve cells and later reactivate, causing painful lesions and other complications. The study aims to develop better model systems to understand the virus's latency and reactivation mechanisms, which are crucial for creating new antiviral therapies. By using innovative in vitro models, the researchers hope to uncover the molecular processes involved in HSV latency, paving the way for effective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent HSV reactivation, reducing the incidence of painful outbreaks and transmission.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on HSV, this approach using advanced in vitro models to study latency is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
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.