HIV-1 small T cell syncytia and how they spread virus
Official title: Multiscale analysis of HIV-1-induced small T cell syncytia
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11406940 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research study at a university will look at tiny, multi-nucleus T cells that HIV-1 forms early after infection to see how they move and pass the virus to other cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $509,818 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172486-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406940 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to patient enrollment for this grant; however, future therapies could benefit people living with HIV if this line of research translates.
✕Less likely to help
This project does not involve enrolling patients or testing in people at this stage.
What this research studies
This project will study how small HIV-induced T cell syncytia move and how they contribute to spreading the virus in lab models that resemble human biology. It will map which host and viral factors keep these syncytia alive and active, and how they interact with uninfected cells. A proteomics collaboration will help identify the proteins present in these syncytia to understand the mechanism of transmission. If the data suggest a meaningful role in dissemination, the team plans to pursue strategies to counter these entities in future work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding early virus spread could lead to new approaches to limit HIV transmission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous intravital imaging studies indicate syncytia exist early in infection and may participate in spread, but the specific small syncytia’s role is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thali, Markus — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Thali, Markus
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.