Federal Grant Award Summary

Brigham & Women's Hospital Inc. received a $879,282 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded June 1, 2026, with an ultimate completion date of May 31, 2031. The grant funds research focused on characterizing novel receptors for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) epithelial cell entry, specifically investigating how newly identified entry receptors DSC2/3 facilitate viral infection mechanisms. The research addresses a critical public health challenge, as EBV causes approximately 350,000 cases of various cancers annually—including B cell malignancies, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and 10% of gastric cancers—in addition to infectious mononucleosis and links to autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis.

The research deliverables encompass three primary objectives: determining mechanisms through which cell-free EBV exploits DSC2/3 to enter epithelial cells; characterizing how EBV exploits DSC2/3 during cell-to-cell contact infection; and elucidating structural and functional interactions between EBV glycoproteins and DSC2/3 receptors. The project utilizes genome-wide CRISPR screening methodologies to advance understanding of viral entry mechanisms. By identifying potential therapeutic targets for blocking EBV entry into host cells, the research is expected to contribute to rational drug design strategies for preventing EBV-associated diseases and inform broader understanding of disease pathogenesis mechanisms underlying EBV-related malignancies and autoimmune conditions.