DNA-based HIV vaccine to boost immune response to the virus envelope
Synthetic DNA-launched and adjuvanted Env immunogens for HIV
Developing DNA-delivered HIV envelope vaccines with added immune boosters aimed at people at risk for HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249583 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses DNA that makes HIV envelope proteins inside the body and combines them with genetic immune boosters to strengthen antibody and T-cell responses. The team is building nanoparticle and native-like trimer vaccine designs that can be delivered by DNA and optimized with adjuvant genes such as IL-12, IL-21, and ADA-1. Much of the work will be lab and preclinical testing to refine the vaccine formats that produced strong immune responses in earlier animal studies. The goal is to produce vaccine candidates that could move toward clinical testing in people at risk for HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for HIV infection or those interested in preventive vaccine trials would be the eventual candidates for these vaccines.
Not a fit: People already living with established HIV infection seeking a cure or immediate therapeutic benefit would not be expected to gain direct benefit from this preventive vaccine development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could yield a preventive HIV vaccine that triggers stronger neutralizing antibodies and T-cell help, lowering the risk of infection.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human trials like RV144 showed modest protection linked to envelope-directed antibodies and the team's animal studies produced promising neutralizing responses, but inducing broadly protective antibodies in people remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Wistar Institute — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiner, David B. — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Weiner, David B.
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 below.