HIV infection and engineered B cell memory in a humanized mouse model
Official title: Establish HIV infection, treatment, and engineered B cell memory responses in the THX mouse model
Funded at Scripps Research Institute, the · NIH-11411851 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are testing a new way to create HIV-fighting antibodies in a special mouse model to see if a functional cure could be possible without long-term antiretroviral therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $253,256 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI200711-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411851 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient trial; results aim to inform future human therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This study uses mice and does not involve direct patient participation.
What this research studies
This project uses a cutting-edge mouse model that can mimic human immune responses to test engineered B cells that produce HIV-fighting antibodies. The study will insert mature bnAb genes into B cells and evaluate their ability to form memory and long-lived plasma cells after vaccination. It will also establish an HIV infection and treatment setup in these mice to see how viral rebound occurs when ART is paused. The goal is to determine whether these engineered B cells can sustain HIV control and model potential human outcomes. The research could pave the way for a patient-facing approach to durable HIV control in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform new strategies to achieve durable HIV control without daily medication.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work in engineered B cells and humanized mice has shown promise, but this exact THX model approach is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Scripps Research Institute, the
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Voss, James Even — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Voss, James Even
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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.