Improving HIV vaccine effectiveness by studying sugar structures on the virus
Official title: Harnessing native glycosylation to improve immunogenicity of HIV-1 Env immunogens
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11075914 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain sugar molecules on the HIV virus can affect how well vaccines work, with the goal of creating better vaccines that help your immune system fight HIV more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $827,022 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179427-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075914 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at high risk for HIV infection or those living with HIV who may benefit from improved vaccine strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for HIV or those who are already effectively managing their HIV with existing treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of HIV vaccines by investigating the sugar molecules (glycans) that cover the HIV envelope protein. These glycans play a crucial role in how the virus interacts with the immune system and can hinder the production of protective antibodies. By understanding the specific glycan structures present on the virus, researchers aim to design vaccine candidates that better mimic these structures, potentially leading to a stronger immune response. The study will involve analyzing the glycosylation patterns of HIV proteins to inform vaccine development strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a more effective HIV vaccine, reducing the incidence of HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing vaccine responses through glycan manipulation, indicating that this approach may yield significant advancements in HIV vaccine development.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Upadhyay, Chitra — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Upadhyay, Chitra
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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.