How very small hidden HIV reservoirs affect staying off HIV medicine
Determining the impact of ultra-small SIV reservoirs on sustained ART-free remission
This project looks at whether tiny hidden pools of virus determine if people with HIV can stop antiretroviral therapy and keep the virus under control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290304 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Because it is hard to measure extremely small HIV reservoirs in people, the team uses an SIV primate model together with precise laboratory measurements and mathematical modeling to study rebound after stopping therapy. They will create situations with very small viral reservoirs, stop treatment in controlled experiments, and record how long it takes for virus to return and how immune responses behave. By combining experimental results with models, the researchers aim to predict reservoir sizes that allow months-long or durable ART-free remission and to inform the design of future human cure trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who are interested in cure-oriented research or who may be candidates for future ART-interruption trials are the most relevant group.
Not a fit: This grant will not directly benefit people without HIV and may not change individual treatment for most people in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify how much the hidden HIV reservoir must be reduced to allow safe, lasting treatment interruption and help guide future cure approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal experiments and mathematical models have suggested reservoir size affects time to rebound and control, but findings are mixed and exact thresholds remain unclear.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reynolds, Matthew R. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Reynolds, Matthew R.
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.