# Structural and Functional Studies of Ebola Virus RNA Synthesis

> **NIH NIH P01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $140,854

## Abstract

Ebola viruses are important emerging and biodefense pathogens for which there are no approved efficacious 
therapeutics. The overarching goal of the center will be to study Ebola viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 
complex and its interaction with proteins and RNA using structural and functional studies and to identify novel 
host factors that are critical for viral replication. The characterization of the viral RNA synthesis machinery by 
this interdisciplinary project will provide insight in to Ebola virus biology and identify new therapeutic targets. 
This is a multi-investigator collaborative research center with research conducted at several sites. The 
Administrative Core will coordinate advances in the research among the scientific components (Projects 1, 2, 
and 3; Core B and C). To ensure that the progress of this integrated research program will be maximized, the 
Administrative Core will be responsible for the following roles: Coordinate: weekly (at a minimum) 
teleconferences between the PIs of the research projects and cores; monthly (at a minimum) scheduled web- 
based interlab meetings to exchange and critique data; and annual Meeting among members of all 
participating groups, to be held at one of the participating sites. These meetings will facilitate reagent and 
scientific exchanges between the different laboratories. The Administrative Core will also coordinate annual 
meetings between the investigators and the External Advisors to assess scientific progress and to receive 
critical evaluations on the performance and future directions of the P01 project. In addition, the Administration 
will coordinate budget usage and establish a “Core Usage Committee” to ensure that the research projects are 
well supported by the scientific cores. It will assist the investigators with preparation and submission of annual 
progress reports to the NIH; maintain a web site for data dissemination in connection with this project. The 
Administrative Core will provide support for efforts to recruit and educate research fellows, graduate and 
medical students in the field of virus-host interactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9955171
- **Project number:** 5P01AI120943-05
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Gaya K. Amarasinghe
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $140,854
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-07 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9955171

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9955171, Structural and Functional Studies of Ebola Virus RNA Synthesis (5P01AI120943-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9955171. Licensed CC0.

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