How viruses in the female reproductive tract affect health in women with HIV.
Official title: Influence of the Cervicovaginal Phageome on Health and Disease in Women Living with HIV.
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10839062 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain viruses that target bacteria, called bacteriophages, affect the reproductive health of women with HIV, and it hopes to find ways to improve their health and prevent infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,452 |
| NIH project number | 1K08AI181643-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10839062 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women living with HIV or AIDS, as well as healthy women for comparison.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not women or those who do not have HIV or related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, in the female reproductive tract of women living with HIV. By analyzing samples from a diverse group of women, including those with HIV and healthy controls, the study aims to understand how these viral communities influence bacterial populations and overall reproductive health. The researchers will use advanced sequencing techniques to track changes in the phageome over time and assess the impact of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on these viral communities. This could lead to insights into preventing infections and improving health outcomes for women living with HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for maintaining reproductive health and preventing infections in women living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the microbiome can lead to significant health insights, suggesting this approach may yield valuable results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monaco, Cynthia L. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Monaco, Cynthia L.
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.