HIV vaccine nanoparticles using native HIV envelope proteins
Project 2. cGMP manufacture of HIV-1 Env trimer sortase A-conjugated nanoparticles
Making vaccine nanoparticles that display the HIV envelope protein to help people at risk of HIV develop broad protective antibodies.
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-11239828 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building tiny particles that carry many copies of the HIV envelope protein in its natural shape and are producing them to clinical-grade (cGMP) standards. They use a biochemical 'sortase A' method to attach well-folded Env trimers onto nanoparticles so the vaccine presents the right targets to the immune system. This approach aims to avoid misfolded Env proteins that can trigger the wrong antibodies and to speed up reliable production for human testing. If successful, the process would make it easier to move promising Env nanoparticle vaccines into clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults at risk for HIV infection who enroll in future clinical trials testing these Env nanoparticle vaccines.
Not a fit: People already living with HIV or those needing immediate antiviral treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this vaccine-development work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to safer, more effective HIV vaccines that teach the immune system to make broadly neutralizing antibodies and help prevent infection.
How similar studies have performed: Related Env trimer and nanoparticle vaccine approaches have shown promise in lab and animal studies but have not yet produced consistently protective broadly neutralizing antibodies in humans, so this manufacturing-focused approach is a novel step toward clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickens, Jason — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Dickens, Jason
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.