How HIV proteins help the virus fuse with human cells
Biophysics of Protein-Mediated Membrane Fusion
Looking at how HIV and human proteins interact when the virus enters cells to find new ways to block infection for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11050316 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Emory use advanced virus-labeling and single-virus fluorescence microscopy to watch individual HIV particles attach to and fuse with target cells. They compare fusion from free virus versus cell-to-cell transmission and use biochemical tests to map where fusion occurs, including fusion in pH-neutral internal vesicles. The team also studies natural host restriction factors that can block entry to understand protective mechanisms. Together these lab approaches aim to pinpoint molecular steps that could be targeted by future drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV, especially those with drug-resistant virus or willing to provide blood or tissue samples for research, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: This laboratory-focused grant does not offer direct clinical treatment or immediate therapeutic benefit to participants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: May reveal new drug targets or strategies to block HIV entry and help treat or prevent infections, including drug-resistant strains.
How similar studies have performed: Single-virus imaging and related microscopy methods have provided important mechanistic insights in other viral systems, and preliminary results suggest this approach is promising for studying HIV fusion.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melikian, Gregory B — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Melikian, Gregory B
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.