Creating an HIV-1 that can infect monkeys
Official title: Engineering simian-compatible HIV-1
Funded at University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr · NIH-11174578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project makes a version of HIV-1 that can infect monkeys to help researchers learn more about AIDS and speed development of vaccines and treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Worth, United States) |
| Project start | August 21, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $242,378 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI179337-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This project does not enroll patients; it uses donated human blood cells and monkey models rather than recruiting people for treatment.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical care are unlikely to benefit because this is preclinical laboratory and animal research.
What this research studies
Researchers are building a modified form of HIV-1 (called HSIV) by inserting a small SIV gene fragment into the HIV-1 genome so the virus can activate resting T cells in monkeys. They will test these engineered viruses in human blood cells in the lab and in simian models to see whether the virus integrates and replicates like HIV does in people. The work combines molecular virology, cell-based assays using donated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and animal infection experiments to create a model that better mirrors human AIDS. The overall aim is to provide a more accurate preclinical model for testing vaccines and therapies before human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a more realistic animal model that helps speed development of safer and more effective HIV vaccines and treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous SHIV (simian–human immunodeficiency virus) models have aided HIV vaccine and pathogenesis research but had limitations, and this chimeric HSIV approach builds on and refines those earlier models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
Fort Worth, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, in-Woo — University of North Texas Hlth Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Park, in-Woo
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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.