Federal Grant Award Summary

Emory University's Office of Sponsored Programs received a $772,008 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. The award funds research to identify spike protein correlates that drive merbecovirus pathogenesis, with particular focus on the S1/S2 loop region of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and related merbecoviruses. The research will employ reverse genetics, in vitro, and in vivo experimental systems to characterize how variations in spike protein processing affect proteolytic activation, viral entry pathways, infection efficiency, and disease severity.

The primary deliverables include scientific findings on how S1/S2 loop motifs influence spike cleavage efficiency, virion processing, and entry route selection (endosomal versus cell surface), as well as identification of mutations that alter viral infection, pathogenesis, and transmission characteristics. Results will inform surveillance protocols for zoonotic coronavirus strains, advance mechanistic understanding of coronavirus infection, and provide evidence-based strategies to mitigate future coronavirus emergence events. This research directly supports NIAID's mission to establish and expand biomedical research in infectious diseases through competitive, peer-reviewed investigation of emerging viral threats.