Using CRISPR technology to understand how viruses manipulate cell functions
Official title: CRISPR-Cas9 base editing approaches to discover ubiquitination events promoting flavivirus infection
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11033456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how viruses like the West Nile virus change the cells they infect, using a special technique to make small changes in the cells to see how it affects the virus, which could help us learn more about how these viruses work and how to fight them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | November 14, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $245,895 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI187731-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11033456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of flavivirus infections or have been diagnosed with related viral diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by flavivirus infections or do not have a history of related viral diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how flaviviruses, such as the West Nile virus, alter the cells they infect by targeting ubiquitination networks. By employing CRISPR-Cas9 base-editing techniques, the study aims to systematically introduce mutations at specific ubiquitination sites to observe their effects on viral infection. The project will also explore the role of ubiquitination enzymes that interact with viral proteins, potentially uncovering new pathways that facilitate infection. This approach is designed to enhance our understanding of viral manipulation of cellular processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating flavivirus infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of CRISPR technology in virology is a growing field, this specific approach to studying ubiquitination in the context of flavivirus infection is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Jeffrey R — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Jeffrey R
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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.