How broadly protective HIV antibodies develop
The evolutionary landscape of HIV broadly neutralizing antibody development
This project uses new lab methods to trace how rare HIV antibodies that can block many virus strains form, aiming to help people at risk of HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137588 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map how every possible amino acid change affects binding for selected broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and their early precursor forms. They will focus on bnAbs that target the HIV Envelope CD4 receptor-binding site and test many antibody variants against diverse viral Envelope proteins and rationally designed vaccine proteins. These high-throughput biochemical experiments use patient-derived antibody sequences to reveal which mutations increase breadth versus specificity. The results are meant to guide better vaccine designs and potential antibody-based therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people who have had HIV and can provide blood samples containing rare broadly neutralizing antibodies or people who might join future vaccine trials informed by this research.
Not a fit: Patients who need immediate HIV treatment or who cannot donate samples are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide vaccines or antibody treatments that protect against many different HIV strains.
How similar studies have performed: Scientists have previously isolated bnAbs and early clinical tests of bnAb therapies showed promise, but applying high-throughput mutational mapping to fully chart bnAb evolution is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Starr, Tyler Nelson — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Starr, Tyler Nelson
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.