Baruch S. Blumberg Institute

10/06/2026

🔬 New publication by Richard Pestell, MD, PhD FACP, FRACP, MBA, Distinguished Professor at Blumberg Institute explores:

“Functional disorder and phase separation in cellular compartmentalization”.

Learn more here 🔗 : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959440X26001624?dgcid=coauthor

10/05/2026

Dr. Qiong Zhao, faculty member at the Blumberg Institute, recently presented on the topic “CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Induces Genetic Disruption and Epigenetic Silencing of Chromosomal Integrated HBV DNA and Episomal cccDNA” at the 2026 international HBV meeting, revealing the dual mechanisms by which CRISPR/Cas9 based gene editing suppresses HBV replication.

Dr. Zhao also presented on the topic “Mechanism of cccDNA Synthesis from HBV DSL DNA and Implications in Viral Pathogenesis” which revised the current model of origins of authentic cccDNA and mutant cccDNA, as well as revealed the underappreciated role of HBV DSL DNA, the minor species, in HBV replication and viral pathogenesis.

10/04/2026

Researchers at the Blumberg Institute, led by Dr. Ju-Tao Guo, in collaboration with Dr. Yanming Du and Dr. Jinhong Chang, are developing innovative therapies aimed at achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B.

Their work includes BSBI-3-02, a next-generation HBV capsid assembly modulator designed to disrupt the hepatitis B virus lifecycle, as well as a liver-targeting innate immune modulator to strengthen the body's antiviral response.

Learn more in our 2025 annual lab report here:https://blumberginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Annual-Report-2025.pdf

10/02/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Liudi Tang and Dr. Qiong Zhao on receiving a two-year R03 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)!

Their work will contribute to a deeper understanding of HBV biology and the development of new insights toward hepatitis B therapies.

Read more about the exciting achievement here: https://blumberginstitute.org/the-national-institute-of-allergy-and-infectious-diseases-niaid-has-awarded-a-two-year-r03-grant-to-support-dr-liudi-tangs-research-in-collaboration-with-dr-qiong-zhao/

09/30/2026

📰 Dr. Jinhong Chang recently presented at the 32nd International Symposium on Hepatitis C Virus, Flaviviruses and Related Viruses (HCV-Flavi 2026) in Copenhagen, sharing our work on the discovery and development of a first-in-class antiviral candidate for yellow fever virus.

The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues and gain insight into the latest advances in flavivirus research and antiviral therapeutics.

Learn more here 🔗:
www.hcv-flavi2026.org

09/30/2026

🧬 A study from the Blumberg Institute introduces an innovative hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA–sensing and RNA-editing–based reporter system, a tool that could significantly advance how scientists detect and study HBV inside cells.

Published in the Journal of Virology, this work highlights how cutting-edge molecular tools are pushing HBV research forward.

📍

The compact genomic organization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has long hindered the development of reporter viruses that do not compromise viral gene expression and replication. Leveraging the advantage of an RNA-sensing and ADAR-editing-dependent cellular reporter system termed r …

09/28/2026

Scientists from the Blumberg Institute have developed a new system that helps detect virus activity in living cells without disrupting how the virus behaves.

Read the full study here 👉 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41070966/

The compact genomic organization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has long hindered the development of reporter viruses that do not compromise viral gene expression and replication. Leveraging the advantage of an RNA-sensing and ADAR-editing-dependent cellular reporter system termed r …

09/24/2026

The Blumberg Institute focuses on understanding the pathobiology of hepatitis B virus and related , developing diagnostics for early detection of liver disease and the discovery of therapeutics, antivirals and immune modulators aimed at curing HBV and other severe viral diseases.

Learn more here - https://blumberginstitute.org/

09/18/2026

🔬 The Sayeed Lab is developing a highly specialized blood test, also known as a liquid biopsy, to detect liver cancer at its earliest stages. The test uses circulating tumor RNA (ctRNA), tiny fragments of genetic material released by cancer cells into the bloodstream. The lab analyzes ctRNA to identify specific genetic mutations and abnormal levels of RNA that are associated with cancer.

Learn more about Dr. Sayeed’s lab projects in our 2025 annual report here:https://blumberginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Annual-Report-2025.pdf

09/17/2026

🔬 New publication by Richard Pestell, MD, PhD FACP, FRACP, MBA, Distinguished Professor at Blumberg Institute explores:

“Functional disorder and phase separation in cellular compartmentalization”.

Learn more here 🔗 : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959440X26001624?dgcid=coauthor