Understanding the Viruses Inside and Around Us
Official title: Advanced analytics for uncovering virus dynamics and functional potential
Funded at University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab · NIH-11195629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses advanced computer tools to learn more about all the different viruses living in and on people, including those that infect our microbes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $697,412 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE034196-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies building on this knowledge could benefit individuals with various health conditions influenced by viruses or the microbiome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from this fundamental research project.
What this research studies
Our bodies are home to many different viruses, collectively called the human virome, and we are just beginning to understand them. Many of these viruses are identified by sequencing their genetic material directly from samples, but it's hard to make sense of all this information. This project aims to develop new computer methods to better classify these viruses, figure out which hosts they infect, and understand what their genes do. By doing so, we hope to unlock the biological secrets of these viral communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand how viruses interact with our bodies and microbiomes, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or treat diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While methods for identifying viral genomes are established, this project focuses on novel analytical approaches to deeply understand their function and host interactions, which is an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kyrpides, Nikos C — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Kyrpides, Nikos C
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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.