Award
National Institute of General Medical Sciences 5P20GM125498-08
RNA viruses of pandemic potential - viral infectivity
Recipient
University of Vermont & St. College
Award Amount
$160,894.00
Ceiling
$160,894.00
Awarded
August 27, 2025
Identifier
5P20GM125498-08
The award funds research on RNA viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza to understand viral infectivity factors and improve diagnostic protocols, aiding pandemic preparedness and public health response.
Description
This project aims to investigate factors influencing the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses using classical virology techniques and clinical samples. The study will expand on previous work to include circulating influenza viruses and examine factors such as sgRNA, negative strand RNA, viral loads, RNA packaging, particle to PFU ratio, temperature stability, particle morphology, and genetic mutations. The goal is to differentiate infectious from non-infectious viral RNA and improve public health response.