Viral Systems Biology Center focusing on Ebola, Lassa, and COVID-19

Center for Viral Systems Biology (CViSB)

NIH-funded research Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11289299

This center works to find biological and environmental factors that predict who will get mild versus severe illness from Ebola, Lassa fever, or COVID-19 to help guide care and prevention.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionScripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11289299 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient's point of view, researchers will combine clinical records, blood and other samples, genetic tests, and virus sequencing from people affected by Ebola, Lassa, and COVID-19. They will use computer-based systems biology to look for patterns linking immune responses, genetics, and virus features with outcomes. The center links labs and clinics, including partners in areas where these infections are common, and uses a reverse-translational approach to turn lab findings into practical markers. The goal is to discover reliable signals that could be used to predict disease severity and inform treatments or public-health actions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have or recently had Ebola, Lassa fever, or COVID-19 and who receive care at participating hospitals or partner sites, including clinics in endemic regions.

Not a fit: People without these infections or those needing immediate lifesaving treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this research right away.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce tests or markers that help doctors predict who is at higher risk of severe illness and tailor care or prevention steps.

How similar studies have performed: Previous systems-biology studies have identified immune and genetic markers for severe outcomes in COVID-19 and other infections, but this center expands that work across multiple high-priority viruses and moves toward clinical application.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.