New COVID Research Grant

Tony Fehr (associate professor) received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R21 grant entitled Identifying the targets of virus-induced PARPs during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mammalian anti-viral response utilizes several protein modifications, like phosphorylation, to quickly alter cell function or directly inhibit virus replication. ADP-ribosylation is a protein modification that controls the outcome of a coronavirus infection; however, little is known regarding how it restricts virus replication at a mechanistic level. Over the next few years this award will help us identify ADP-ribosylated proteins during SARS-CoV-2 infection with the goal of developing a better understanding of the anti-viral response that will provide new avenues for anti-viral therapies. Dr. Fehr’s lab will collaborate with Dr. Mike Cohen at Oregon Health Sciences University on this research.