# Structural studies of viral replication and invasion

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2024 · $170,789

## Abstract

Project summary
Viruses are a major threat to human health. Our laboratory uses various structural biology techniques to
dissect molecular mechanisms of how viruses replicate and invade the host cell or its genome. One area of our
major interest is retroviral integration, a critical step in the lifecycle of retroviruses that achieves permanent
insertion of the reverse-transcribed viral genome into a host chromosome. We will build on our recent structural
studies of the Human T-cell Leukemia virus and Rous sarcoma virus intasomes and further investigate the
roles of host factors during the integration of these retroviruses. Another area that we are pursuing is the
replication of coronavirus RNA genomes and host cell invasion. In particular, we are interested in how a virally
encoded exoribonuclease complex facilitates faithful replication of the large RNA genomes of coronaviruses,
and how this unique proofreading activity could be modulated by small molecules. We are also investigating
the inhibition of the receptor binding of the coronavirus spike protein by novel antibodies and antibody mimics.
Overall, the studies proposed in this application will help better understand important RNA-based human
pathogens and could aid in the development of antiviral strategies, or alternatively, gene delivery tools useful in
research or gene therapy applications.
 Throughout our research program, accurately characterizing the thermodynamics (i.e., determining the
binding affinity, KD) of protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, and protein-small molecule interactions is key. In
this supplement application, we are requesting funds to purchase a microscale thermophoresis (MST)
instrument. MST is an emerging technology quickly becoming an essential tool in studying molecular
interactions, and its acquisition will greatly enhance the quality and rigor of the research conducted in our
laboratory as well as many others on our campus.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11033017
- **Project number:** 3R35GM118047-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Hideki Aihara
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $170,789
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11033017

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11033017, Structural studies of viral replication and invasion (3R35GM118047-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11033017. Licensed CC0.

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