Understanding how viruses assemble and interact with their hosts
Official title: Phages as Lenses to Study Virus Assembly and Virus: Host Interactions
Funded at University of Connecticut Storrs · NIH-11011656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses, like bacteriophage P22, put themselves together, which could help scientists find new ways to create antiviral medicines by understanding how to stop viruses from forming properly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Storrs NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Storrs-Mansfield, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $659,949 |
| NIH project number | 1R35GM156358-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with viral infections that could potentially be treated with new antiviral agents.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-viral infections or conditions unrelated to viral mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the assembly process of viral capsids, specifically using bacteriophage P22 as a model. By examining the interactions between various proteins involved in the capsid assembly, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that dictate how these proteins adopt the correct shapes and structures. This knowledge could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs by providing insights into how to disrupt viral assembly. The research employs both in vitro and in vivo techniques to mimic complex biological processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel antiviral therapies that effectively target viral assembly processes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding viral assembly mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in antiviral drug development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Storrs
Storrs-Mansfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Teschke, Carolyn M — University of Connecticut Storrs
- Study coordinator: Teschke, Carolyn M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New sequencing machine to boost veterinary genomics at CVMDL
A new high-throughput DNA/RNA sequencer will be acquired and put into use at the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to improve how we study and diagnose animal diseases.
-
How IL-10 changes mast cells in allergic reactions
This work looks at how the immune signal IL-10 changes mast cells and their responses in people with food allergies.
-
Optimizing a just-in-time intervention to help MSM access chemsex harm-reduction services
A smartphone app-driven approach tests personalized, timely support to help men who have sex with men access chemsex harm-reduction services and reduce HIV risk.
-
Understanding how vagus nerve stimulation helps stroke recovery to guide better treatments
This NIH grant uses computer models to figure out how brief, task-timed vagus nerve stimulation affects the brain after stroke and helps movement recovery.
-
Targeting c-Myc DNA with next-generation nucleic acid tools in aggressive B-cell lymphomas
This grant tests a new way to slow or stop aggressive B-cell lymphomas by directly targeting the c-Myc gene in patients and model systems using advanced nucleic acid analogs.
-
Soft, bendable 3D electronics and microfluidic micro-labs for drug screening in engineered tissues
A team at the University of Connecticut is building a soft, 3D electronic and microfluidic platform to grow human organoids and test drugs safely and accurately.
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.