Finding natural products to help eliminate HIV reservoirs

Development of natural product inhibitors of Nef for clearance of HIV reservoirs

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10772357

This study is looking for natural ways to block a protein in HIV that helps the virus hide from the immune system, with the hope that this could improve treatments for people living with HIV and possibly help get rid of the virus in the body.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10772357 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing natural product inhibitors that target a specific HIV protein called Nef, which helps the virus evade the immune system. By inhibiting Nef, the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of the immune response against HIV-infected cells. The research employs high-throughput assays to identify these inhibitors and aims to combine them with existing therapies to clear HIV reservoirs in the body. Patients may benefit from new treatment strategies that could lead to better management or potential eradication of HIV.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have not achieved viral eradication despite antiretroviral therapy.

Not a fit: Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have already achieved complete viral suppression may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that significantly reduce or eliminate HIV reservoirs in patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of targeting Nef is relatively novel, previous studies have shown promise in using latency reactivation strategies to address HIV reservoirs.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, 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.
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.