Carbon nanotube–assisted mRNA HIV vaccine delivery
Official title: Carbon Nanotube Enabled Delivery of mRNA for an HIV Vaccine Candidate
Funded at Luna Labs USA, LLC · NIH-11170647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH-funded project aims to help deliver an HIV vaccine mRNA more effectively using carbon nanotubes, with potential to boost the immune response in people at risk for HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Luna Labs USA, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $870,685 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH133249-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11170647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at risk for HIV exposure who may participate in future vaccine trials or related studies once safety and efficacy are established.
✕Less likely to help
People not eligible for vaccine trials or those unlikely to respond to this delivery approach may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates new delivery methods to improve HIV vaccine mRNA performance. Researchers will explore how carbon nanotube platforms can carry mRNA and how this affects immune activation and safety. The work focuses on overcoming stability and delivery challenges to better prime the body’s defenses against HIV. If successful, the approach could lead to faster development of effective vaccines for people at risk of infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this delivery method could enhance HIV vaccine effectiveness and help reduce new infections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows promise with novel delivery systems, but achieving durable protection remains challenging and is still being evaluated.
Where this research is happening
-
Luna Labs USA, LLC
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Yang — Luna Labs USA, LLC
- Study coordinator: Xu, Yang
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.