Developing tools to combat HIV drug resistance through protein dynamics

A Systematic Toolkit for Counteracting HIV Drug Resistance with Protein Structural Dynamics

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11013504

This study is looking at how HIV can become resistant to antiviral drugs by exploring how proteins interact with these medications, and it hopes to find better ways to create new treatments that work even against tough strains of the virus, which could help patients get more effective care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11013504 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how HIV develops resistance to antiviral drugs by examining the dynamics of protein interactions. It aims to identify critical interactions in the protein-drug complex that contribute to drug resistance, using a physics-based approach to analyze how proteins change shape when binding to drugs. By addressing gaps in current methods, this project seeks to create a more effective toolkit for designing new antiviral therapies that can overcome resistance. Patients may benefit from improved treatment options that are more effective against resistant strains of HIV.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are experiencing drug resistance or have a history of treatment failure.

Not a fit: Patients who are newly diagnosed with HIV and have not yet started treatment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective antiviral drugs that can better manage HIV resistance.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using protein dynamics to inform drug design, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.