HIV vaccine approach using stabilized envelope protein nanoparticles
Project 1. Optimization and in vivo evaluation of HIV-1 Env trimer sortase A-conjugated nanoparticles
Seeing whether nanoparticles displaying stabilized HIV envelope proteins can teach the immune system to make broadly protective antibodies for people at risk of HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239827 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building nanoparticles that carry well-folded pieces of the HIV envelope protein to better focus immune responses. They use an enzyme called sortase A to attach stabilized envelope trimers onto particles so the proteins keep their correct shape and can be produced reliably. The team will test these nanoparticle designs in living models to find formulations that engage the rare B cells that can develop broadly neutralizing antibodies and to guide sequential vaccine steps that drive the required antibody mutations. The goal is to optimize design and production so successful candidates can move toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for HIV infection or those interested in participating in future preventive vaccine trials would be the likely candidates for eventual human testing.
Not a fit: People already living with HIV or those with severely weakened immune systems are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preventive vaccine-focused work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to vaccines that stimulate broadly protective HIV antibodies and lower the risk of infection.
How similar studies have performed: Nanoparticle-based HIV immunogens have increased antibody responses in animal studies and some early human work, but reliably inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies in people remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saunders, Kevin O — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Saunders, Kevin O
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.