Developing a new vaccine approach to target HIV-1
Official title: mRNA-based chimeric membrane protein vaccination strategies directed at the MPER
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11062378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaccine designed to help your body fight HIV by teaching it to recognize and respond to the virus better, and people living with HIV may have the chance to participate in trials to see how well it works and if it's safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $993,881 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI181597-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would include individuals at high risk for HIV infection or those living with HIV who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for HIV or those who have already achieved viral suppression with existing therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a vaccine that can effectively induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against the HIV-1 virus. It aims to overcome challenges posed by the virus's ability to change its structure and evade the immune response. The approach involves designing immunogens that mimic the virus's protective features, allowing the immune system to better recognize and respond to the virus. Patients may be involved in trials to test the safety and effectiveness of this innovative vaccine strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective vaccine against HIV-1, potentially reducing the incidence of HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to HIV vaccine development, this specific strategy targeting the MPER region is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Mikyung — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Kim, Mikyung
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Protective dengue vaccines that steer T and B cell responses
A vaccine study aims to guide the body’s T and B cells to fight all four dengue virus types safely and effectively.
-
Respiratory pathogen–specific T cell signatures after vaccination, infection, and treatment
A research effort to map how immune T cells respond to respiratory infections and vaccines, with potential to guide better vaccines and treatments for conditions like covid-19 and pertussis.
-
Malaria vaccine and infection: how the body’s early and later immune responses relate to protection
Researchers are studying how people’s immune systems respond to the malaria pre-erythrocytic stage, whether after vaccination or infection, to identify which responses are linked to protection.
-
Spatially responsive mass vaccination for urban rabies
A new plan uses data and maps to place vaccination sites where they’re most needed in cities, aiming to boost rabies vaccination for both people and dogs.
-
Spatially responsive mass vaccination for urban rabies
A project tests smarter placement of vaccination sites to increase mass canine rabies vaccination in cities.
-
Vaccine failure after Covid-19 vaccination in older adults
This project follows vaccinated older adults to understand who among them still gets Covid-19 and what factors make those outcomes worse.
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.