Understanding RNA structures in viruses to help develop RNA-targeted therapies
Official title: Finding and folding novel RNA structures
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11395635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying the shapes of viral RNA to learn how it works and to help create future treatments that target RNA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $314,572 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM133810-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable in the current setup; this grant is primarily a computational and basic science study using viral RNA data.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient involvement unless future translational steps are pursued.
What this research studies
This project builds on a pipeline that scans viral genomes to predict RNA shapes and then folds them to identify stable, functional structures. By combining computer analyses with lab experiments, the team aims to map RNA structures in human pathogenic viruses, including coronaviruses. The goal is to improve discovery methods so researchers can find new RNA targets that could lead to therapeutic ideas. This renewal seeks to refine the pipeline and overcome current limitations to reveal more regulatory RNA structures in viral genomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could uncover new RNA targets for therapies against viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified ordered RNA structures in human pathogens and informed potential therapeutic leads.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moss, Walter — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Moss, Walter
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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.