Developing tools to combat HIV drug resistance through protein dynamics
Official title: A Systematic Toolkit for Counteracting HIV Drug Resistance with Protein Structural Dynamics
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11013504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $176,096 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI186936-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are experiencing drug resistance or have a history of treatment failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are newly diagnosed with HIV and have not yet started treatment may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Ao — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Ma, Ao
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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.