How HIV packages its envelope and spreads between cells
Identifying determinants of HIV-1 responsible for the nanoscale distribution and dynamics of virus assembly
This project looks at how HIV’s surface protein (Env) gets packaged into new virus particles and moves between cells to help people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325099 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use very high-resolution microscopes to watch individual HIV Env proteins in three dimensions as virus particles form on cell surfaces. They will change parts of the Env protein’s tail to see which pieces are needed for the protein to be included in new viruses. They will also study cell proteins that move Env to the surface to understand how host factors control virus assembly and cell-to-cell spread. All experiments are done in the lab using virus samples and cultured cells, and the team has preliminary data showing these methods can reveal nanoscale organization and movement.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll patients; the work is laboratory-based using virus samples and cultured cells rather than recruiting people.
Not a fit: Patients should not expect direct personal medical benefit from this project because it is basic lab research focused on understanding viral mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to block HIV assembly or cell-to-cell spread and eventually lead to better treatments or prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Advanced super-resolution and single-molecule tracking methods have provided important insights in viral biology and the investigators’ preliminary data support that these approaches can reveal Env behavior, though turning those findings into therapies remains a new step.
Where this research is happening
Denver, United States
- University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) — Denver, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Engelenburg, Schuyler — University of Denver (Colorado Seminary)
- Study coordinator: Van Engelenburg, Schuyler
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.