NIH-funded research R01 grant

A Long-Lasting HIV Vaccine for Initial Infection Sites

Official title: Durable HIV Vaccine Targeting Mucosal Epithelium

Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11135490 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project is working to create a strong, long-lasting vaccine that protects against HIV right where the virus tries to enter the body.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTexas Biomedical Research Institute
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Antonio, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2022
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$963,873
NIH project number5R01AI172539-04
Project IDNIH-11135490 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Future participants in related clinical trials would likely be healthy individuals at risk of HIV exposure.

Less likely to help

Patients already living with HIV would not directly benefit from this preventative vaccine.

What this research studies

This research aims to develop an HIV vaccine that provides two layers of protection: an initial barrier at the body's entry points, like mucosal tissues, and a second set of defenses throughout the body if the first barrier is breached. The goal is to keep the immune system constantly alert to HIV and target the immune response specifically to the initial infection sites. This innovative strategy uses epithelial stem cells to continuously present viral antigens, aiming to build solid, long-term protection against the virus.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could offer a new way to prevent HIV infection by providing robust, long-term protection at the body's primary entry points.

How similar studies have gone: While previous HIV vaccine efforts have provided valuable insights, this project explores an original strategy for delivering a vaccine to mucosal sites.

Where this research is happening

  • Texas Biomedical Research Institute
    San Antonio, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Gauduin, Marie-Claire Elisabeth — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
  • Study coordinator: Gauduin, Marie-Claire Elisabeth

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.