How the shape of HIV RNA controls viral gene activity
Development and application of a quantitive model for HIV-1 transcriptional activation driven by TAR RNA conformational dynamics
This work predicts how small changes in the shape of a piece of HIV RNA affect the virus's ability to switch on its genes in infected cells to help people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137778 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have HIV, this project focuses on a tiny viral RNA element called TAR and how its 3D shape controls whether the virus turns on its genes. Researchers will use high-precision lab measurements and computer simulations to map many RNA shapes and test how those shapes bind the viral Tat protein and a human protein complex that promotes transcription. They will combine NMR data, molecular dynamics simulations, RNA structure prediction tools, and high-throughput cell assays to build a predictive model linking RNA sequence to gene activation. This is primarily lab- and computer-based, so you would not receive treatment through this project but could benefit from therapies developed later based on its findings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV, especially those open to donating samples or taking part in future clinical trials targeting viral transcription, would be most relevant to benefits from this work.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those not interested in future translational trials are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets to block HIV transcription and guide drugs that prevent the virus from reactivating.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have described TAR structure and Tat binding, but building a large-scale quantitative model that predicts transcriptional activity from RNA sequence is novel and less tested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Al-Hashimi, Hashim M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Al-Hashimi, Hashim M
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.