Caltech’s Merkin Institute Funds 21 Studies to Better Understand, Combat COVID-19

An army of Caltech scientists are working on 21 separate research projects to increase understanding of the novel coronavirus and how to detect, prevent and fight it thanks to funding from the recently established Merkin Institute for Translational Research, Caltech announced Monday.

While no researchers were specifically studying the novel coronavirus prior to the onset of the pandemic, “many groups had highly relevant expertise and new ideas about how to help fight the virus and its effects,” the university said in a written statement. To that end, the Merkin Institute offered grants to fund the new research projects on the potentially deadly virus that has rapidly encircled the globe.

“Caltech faculty bring their unique experience, technologies, and innovative capacity to this complex problem,” Merkin Institute Director and Bren Professor of Molecular Biology Barbara Wold said. “We want to enable them to move boldly and rapidly.”

More than 50 project proposals were considered before the Merkin Institute, with support of Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Provost David A. Tirrell and the Merkin Institute’s executive committee, selected 21 to move forward.

“Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the funded investigators come from five of Caltech’s six divisions,” according to the Caltech statement. “Many of the grants support projects that meet urgent needs, while others focus on longer-term impact. High-risk, high-reward projects were encouraged with the expectation that some will come to fruition as planned, some will not, and others will change greatly as our understanding of the new disease unfolds.”

The initial round of funding covers six months of research, according to the university. After that, additional funding will be offered for the most promising projects, as well as for new research endeavors to better understand the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the illness it causes, known a COVID-19.

Among the grant recipients are Caltech Assistant Professor of Computational Biology and Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator Matt Thompson, who is looking for new approached to monitor gene expression profiles and potentially find ways to inhibit so-called “cytokine storms,” which are “severe immune reactions that can occur as a result of coronavirus infection,” according to Caltech.

Another team led by Caltech professors Pamela Bjorkman and André Hoelz is looking toward proteins and protein complexes that interact with the novel coronavirus in hopes of discovering treatments, the university said.

Caltech Professor of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Bioengineering Niles Pierce is among faculty members working on finding new ways to test for the virus.

“He is modifying technology that he created to amplify and analyze genetic material so that it can be used for a simple and inexpensive home test for COVID-19 infection,” the statement said.

“Meanwhile, Robert Grubbs, Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry and Nobel laureate, is using his grant to develop spray-on antiviral coatings for use on plastics and surfaces we encounter daily,” the statement added. Another project is studying the psychological and neurological impacts of stress and isolation.

The Merkin Institute for Translational Research was established last year through a gift from Dr. Richard Merkin, a Caltech trustee and founder of the Heritage Provider Network, according to the Caltech statement. It works to support “all steps in the translational process, from basic discovery through to clinical application.”

Merkin said he whole-heartedly approved of the important new research.

“Combating the most pressing health care emergency of the 21st century requires a cross section of translational data and physical science efforts,” Merkin said. “I’m thrilled that the Institute is able to identify and execute on so many promising translational projects.”