# Virus-host interactions: a multi-scale training program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2020 · $124,170

## Abstract

This proposal is a competing renewal application for continuing support of a T32 training grant entitled “Virus-
host interactions: a multi-scale training program.” The program, formerly called Molecular Biology of
Eukaryotic Viruses, was established at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in 1988. During its 30-year
history, the goal of this program has been to broadly train Ph.D. graduate students in the fundamental aspects
of molecular and cellular virology as they relate to virus-host interactions, viral pathogenesis, regulation of
viral gene expression, virus structure/proteomics, and applications of virus/phage technologies. During the
current review period (9/14-8/19), eight predoctoral students were supported by this training program. For the
upcoming budget period, three pre-doctoral trainee positions are requested, consistent with previous
renewals of this program. Due to evolving faculty research expertise and the emergence of new virus/phage-
related disciplines, the scope of proposed training areas will be broadened to also include interdisciplinary
research and training programs in host responses to viral infections, bacteriophages in the human microbiome
and the environment, and mathematical modeling of virus dynamics. There are 13 faculty mentors for this
program, representing eight academic departments at UCI. Nearly all faculty members from these
departments participate in the Cellular and Molecular Biosciences graduate program (CMB) at UCI, which
oversees recruitment, admission, and first-year training of predoctoral students. The majority of the T32
training grant trainees are part of the Immunology and Microbiology focus area in the CMB program. Three
of the training preceptors are affiliated with the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, and research
in these labs will focus on (i) viruses/bacteriophages in the environment, (ii) viruses associated with the human
microbiome, and (iii) in vivo virus dynamics. All trainees in the proposed training program will take formal
course work that includes an integrated set of core courses in molecular virology/pathogenesis, phage-host
interactions, mathematical modeling of virus spread, and a Virology Journal Club as well as electives and
seminar courses in their areas of research specialization. The virology training faculty have major research
strengths in virus-host interactions including the immune response to viral infections, regulation of viral gene
expression, structural virology and viral proteomics, viral pathogenesis, control of emerging virus infections,
viruses/bacteriophages in the human and environmental microbiome, modeling of virus populations,
molecular evolution of viruses, virus gene therapy, and drug delivery via viral vectors. Our research programs
cover a wide range of DNA and RNA viruses, including herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, vaccinia
virus, adeno-associated virus, bacteriophages, retroviruses (HIV), filoviruses, arenaviruses, fla...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10024963
- **Project number:** 2T32AI007319-31A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ilhem Messaoudi
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $124,170
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1988-09-30 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10024963

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10024963, Virus-host interactions: a multi-scale training program (2T32AI007319-31A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10024963. Licensed CC0.

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