HERV proteogenomics and HIV latency in the brain
Official title: HERV proteogenomics of narcotic-driven HIV latency
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11541274 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are exploring how human endogenous retroviruses interact with HIV hiding in brain cells, with the aim of finding ways to wake and reveal latent HIV so it can be cleared.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $722,475 |
| NIH project number | 4R33DA058294-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11541274 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV, especially those with neurological symptoms or risk of brain reservoir persistence, may benefit from advances informed by this work.
✕Less likely to help
The research is at a basic-to-translational stage and may not directly improve care during the study period for all participants.
What this research studies
This project focuses on HIV that can persist secretly in brain cells called microglia and how narcotic use might shape the epigenetic landscape to influence latency. Using a new reporter virus and proteogenomic methods, researchers will identify which HERV elements are active during latency and how they relate to HIV persistence. The goal is to discover markers specific to latency that could guide future therapies. The study combines advanced genetic and protein analysis to understand the brain-specific reservoirs that hinder eradication efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could reveal new markers and targets to eradicate latent HIV in the brain, potentially moving toward a functional cure.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown feasibility of studying HIV latency and host-viral interactions using advanced genomics and proteomics, with growing evidence that brain reservoirs are a challenge.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mulder, Lubbertus C — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Mulder, Lubbertus C
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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.