How the HIV envelope changes shape to infect cells
Structural definition of CD4-induced HIV-1 Env conformational changes required for infection
Researchers are mapping how the outer protein shell of HIV shifts shape when it meets human receptors to guide better vaccines and treatments for people with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11269840 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or someone you love has HIV, this project will take very detailed 'pictures' of the virus's outer protein (Env) as it binds to human cells, focusing on the gp120 and gp41 pieces and the fusion peptide. Scientists will capture intermediate shapes the protein takes when it opens and identify where antibodies can latch on, using high-resolution structural methods and lab-based biochemical tests on purified proteins and complexes. They will compare configurations that are antibody-accessible versus hidden and define the early steps the virus uses to fuse with cell membranes. Those structural maps are meant to point vaccine designers and antibody developers to the best spots to block infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients directly, but people living with HIV might later be asked to donate blood samples for related lab studies or to join vaccine trials informed by these results.
Not a fit: People should not expect immediate changes to their care from this lab-based work, and those seeking direct therapeutic benefit now are unlikely to gain from this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design vaccines or antibody therapies that block HIV from entering cells, improving prevention and treatment options.
How similar studies have performed: Previous structural studies have identified the fusion peptide and other Env sites as vulnerable to broadly neutralizing antibodies and have guided vaccine design, but turning those insights into effective vaccines remains challenging.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acharya, Priyamvada — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Acharya, Priyamvada
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.