How HIV's envelope protein shifts shape to enter human cells
Official title: Probing real-time conformational dynamics and allosteric cooperativity of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein during virus entry
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler · NIH-11226563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will track how the HIV surface protein changes shape over time to better understand how the virus fuses with and enters human cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tyler, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $434,727 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI181600-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11226563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people living with HIV who are willing to donate blood or virus-containing samples for laboratory studies or to be considered for future trials based on the findings.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate clinical treatment or a direct therapeutic benefit from this project should not expect immediate personal benefit, since this is a basic, mechanism-focused study.
What this research studies
This research watches the HIV envelope protein in real time using advanced imaging, biophysical measurements, and AI-powered analysis to map the steps it takes to fuse with human cell membranes. Scientists will identify transient intermediate shapes and how the three-part protein components cooperate during entry. The work uses purified viruses, protein complexes, and computational modeling rather than testing treatments in people. Results are meant to point to weak spots that antibodies or drugs could target to block infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal new targets for vaccines, neutralizing antibodies, or drugs that block HIV entry and prevent or limit infection.
How similar studies have gone: Structural and single-molecule studies have previously identified Env shapes and some intermediates, but real-time, time-resolved mapping of cooperative allosteric changes remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
Tyler, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Maolin — University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
- Study coordinator: Lu, Maolin
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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.