Better HIV vaccine nanoparticles that teach B cells to make broad protective antibodies
Refinement of DNA-Launched NanoParticles decorated with Apex and CD4bs B cell lineage targeting Envs (DLNP-ACEs)
This project develops nanoparticle vaccine pieces meant to train the immune system to produce powerful, broadly protective antibodies against HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will design and refine HIV envelope protein pieces attached to DNA-launched nanoparticles to better target the rare B cells that can grow into broadly neutralizing antibody producers. They will use lab-based structure-guided design and mammalian display to improve how well the immunogens engage early B cell receptors. The team will test candidates in nonhuman primates, including engineered SHIV infections, to find booster sequences that guide antibody breadth and study how virus and antibodies co-evolve. Genetic adjuvants will be paired with the nanoparticle constructs to strengthen desired immune responses and reduce off-target antibody competition.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for any future human trials would be adults at risk for HIV exposure or otherwise eligible and healthy volunteers recruited for preventive vaccine studies.
Not a fit: People already living with established HIV infection are unlikely to benefit directly from this preventive vaccine-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to vaccines that reliably induce broadly neutralizing antibodies and substantially lower the risk of HIV infection.
How similar studies have performed: Related germline-targeting and nanoparticle vaccine strategies have shown promise in animal models and early-phase work but have not yet produced consistently broad neutralizing antibodies in humans.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Wistar Institute — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kulp, Daniel — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Kulp, Daniel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.