Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) awarded a $235,500 Project Grant on February 10, 2026, to the University of California, Irvine under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855). The award supports research into the molecular architecture of the vaccinia virus factory, with a completion date of January 31, 2028. This research addresses critical public health concerns related to orthopoxviruses, including the potential reemergence of smallpox and the ongoing threat of monkeypox outbreaks. The project will characterize the biochemical composition and protein interactions of the vaccinia virus nucleus-factory complex at the molecular level, with the objective of identifying novel therapeutic targets for rational drug design and developing additional antiviral treatment options for combinatorial or sequential use.

The research deliverables include quantitative proteome characterization of the vaccinia virus nucleus-factory complex and molecular-level analysis of protein interactions occurring during virion morphogenesis. By identifying previously under-exploited protein interfaces and interaction mechanisms, this project aims to provide a foundation for developing new pharmaceutical interventions against orthopoxviruses. The findings are intended to inform the development of additional FDA-approved antiorthopoxviral drugs to complement existing treatments such as TPOXX and brincidofovir, thereby enhancing clinical response capabilities to potential public health threats posed by poxvirus outbreaks or reemergence.