# RUI: Characterizing Microvesicle-Mediated Rotavirus Transmission: Mechanisms and Evolutionary Impacts

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · CUNY Queens College (NY) · $498,069

## Abstract

This award supports research and educational activities to understand a newly discovered way that some viruses, including rotavirus, are transmitted between cells. Rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrheal disease, leading to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths in children under five each year, primarily in developing countries. Traditionally, scientists believed that viruses like rotavirus could only infect new cells as individual, free-floating particles. However, recent discoveries show that these viruses can be packaged together inside tiny membrane-bound sacs, called microvesicles, and transmitted as a group. This project investigates this collective infection process, which represents a major shift in understanding viral transmission, ecology, and evolution. By characterizing how microvesicles are used for transmission, this research could identify new targets for antiviral drugs, with significant global health implications. The project also has significant broader impacts, including the training of undergraduate and doctoral students. It will establish a new, research-based virology laboratory course at Queens College, filling a critical curriculum gap and providing students with training in advanced techniques such as microscopy and metagenomic sequencing. Furthermore, the project will engage local high school students in immersive laboratory experiences to inspire career exploration in STEM fields. 

Using rotavirus as a model system, this project will

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2517851
- **Awardee organization:** CUNY Queens College (NY)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EJABWGUJM228
- **PI:** John J Dennehy
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** RES IN UNDERGRAD INST-RESEARCH
- **Estimated total:** $498,069
- **Funds obligated:** $498,069
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2517851

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2517851, RUI: Characterizing Microvesicle-Mediated Rotavirus Transmission: Mechanisms and Evolutionary Impacts. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2517851. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*