Monday, February 16, 2026 2/16/2026

Mechanisms of Marburg virus gene expression

Award Number: R01AI133486
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/08/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Mechanisms of Marburg virus gene expression - Marburg virus (MARV) belongs to the filovirus family and is highly pathogenic in humans. Despite being classified as Category A Priority Pathogen by NIAID, and its potential to cause large-scale outbreaks, similar to the recent Ebola virus outbreak, research on MARV lags significantly behind that on other non-segmented negative sense (NNS) RNA viruses. Here, we propose to perform in-depth analyses of MARV transcription and gene expression. Dissecting the mechanisms of MARV gene expression will not only be instrumental for the targeted development of antiviral drugs, it will also reveal unifying paradigms and distinctions between the NNS RNA viruses. The filovirus genome is transcribed by a virally encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex, which is capable of generating capped and polyadenylated mRNAs. This process occurs in the cell cytoplasm, close to ribosomes and cellular RNA binding proteins. This project will examine three different stages of MARV gene expression. In Aim 1, we will elucidate the mechanism of transcription initiation at the MARV promoter and investigate the role of structural features of the polymerase in this process. Notably, the MARV promoter sequence has some unusual features, and we intend to explore the functional relevance of these characteristics. In Aim 2, we will determine the function of conserved hairpin loops that are formed at the 5´ end of each MARV mRNA. We will explore the effect of these structures on transcription, RNA stability, trafficking and translation. In Aim 3, we will focus on mRNA polyadenylation and release. The mechanism of mRNA release is not well understood for any NNS RNA virus, and the results obtained in this aim will help to broaden our understanding of NNS RNA virus transcription strategies. This proposal brings together expertise in studying NNS RNA polymerases, MARV molecular biology, and mRNA-protein interactions. Together, the research team has established a unique tool set to achieve the goals of this proposal, including a MARV in vitro polymerase assay, various MARV reverse genetics systems, and highly innovative single molecule mRNA-protein binding assays. These studies will shine new light on a crucial aspect of MARV infection and enhance our understanding of NNS RNA virus biology.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$934 )
2025	2022	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	9/3/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$934
														Subtotal = -$934

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	4/16/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $529,563 )
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 E NEWTON ST M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	4/13/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$529,563
														Subtotal = $529,563

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $529,282 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 E NEWTON ST M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	4	4/19/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$529,282
														Subtotal = $529,282

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $534,809 )
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 E NEWTON ST M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	4/14/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$534,809
														Subtotal = $534,809

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $529,282 )
2019	2019	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 E NEWTON ST M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	4/28/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$529,282
														Subtotal = $529,282

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $563,009 )
2018	2018	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 E NEWTON ST M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	5/8/2018	NEW	$563,009
														Subtotal = $563,009

Grand Total All Awards = $2,685,011

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Mechanisms of Marburg virus gene expression

Award Number: R01AI133486

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/08/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer