The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, through its University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) division, was awarded a $330,025 Project Grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859). The grant supports the development of prototype mouse models to study the novel SEND (Selective Endogenous Encapsidation for Cellular Delivery) system, which utilizes cellular proteins to enable intercellular mRNA transfer as a potential gene therapy delivery mechanism. The three-year project aims to create genetically engineered mouse models to investigate the biogenesis and physiological implications of the SEND viral-like particle system, with the ultimate goal of repurposing it as a non-immunogenic gene therapy tool. The award period runs from September 18, 2024 to June 30, 2028.