Understanding how viruses like COVID-19 spread in communities and how proteins are built
Emergent Properties of Complex Systems: From Atoms to Macromolecules; from Humans to Societies
This project helps us understand how airborne viruses like COVID-19 spread among people and how tiny building blocks in our bodies, called proteins, are shaped.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11089415 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how diseases like COVID-19 move through human populations by analyzing daily case and death numbers. Researchers are also working on new computer methods to better understand the shapes of proteins, which are crucial for how our bodies work and how viruses infect us. By combining these approaches, the goal is to uncover the underlying physical rules that govern both virus spread and protein structures. This work uses advanced computer simulations and data analysis to gain deeper insights into complex biological systems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is primarily computational and does not involve direct patient participation, but its findings could eventually benefit anyone affected by airborne viral diseases or conditions related to protein function.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical interventions or direct treatment options will not find direct benefit from this foundational computational work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of disease transmission patterns and improved methods for designing treatments that target specific protein structures.
How similar studies have performed: The Principal Investigator has a long and impactful career in computational biology, suggesting a strong foundation for this type of research, though the specific application to COVID-19 spread is a newer focus.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levitt, Michael — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Levitt, Michael
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 below.