How HIV uses cell machinery to assemble infectious virus
Viral and Cellular Determinants of HIV-1 Assembly
Researchers aim to uncover how HIV hijacks human cell pathways to build infectious virus particles, which could help people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321664 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how the HIV envelope protein moves through infected cells and which human proteins and compartments help it get packaged into new virus particles. The team will focus on a cellular system called the tubular recycling endosome and specific proteins (for example MICAL-L1, EHD1, Rab10) that recent data suggest are important. They will use cell-based experiments that alter these host factors and watch how envelope trafficking and virus assembly change. Results will be used to map the steps HIV needs from the host cell that might be targeted by future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV or individuals willing to provide blood or tissue samples for laboratory research would be the most relevant contributors to related studies.
Not a fit: Because this is laboratory research on virus assembly, it is unlikely to provide direct medical benefit or change clinical care for participants in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new host targets to block HIV particle production and inspire treatments that reduce how much infectious virus is made.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have already identified some host factors involved in HIV envelope trafficking, so this work builds on promising preclinical findings but remains at the basic-research stage.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spearman, Paul W. — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Spearman, Paul W.
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.