Investigating how HIV reverse transcription works using advanced sequencing techniques
Official title: Using new Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches to analyze the fidelity of HIV reverse transcription in Endogenous Reverse Transcription reactions (ERT)
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10872227 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well the HIV virus copies itself, especially how changes in magnesium levels affect this process, to help us understand how the virus mutates and improve treatment options for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 20, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $190,620 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174881-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872227 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are interested in understanding more about their condition and potential treatment advancements.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not living with HIV or those who are not interested in the biological mechanisms of the virus may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the accuracy of HIV reverse transcription, which is crucial for the virus's replication. By using new Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) methods, the study aims to analyze how HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) performs under different conditions, particularly in the presence of varying magnesium ion concentrations. The goal is to reconcile discrepancies between laboratory findings and real-world cellular behavior regarding HIV mutation rates. This could lead to a better understanding of how HIV evolves and potentially inform treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for HIV by providing insights into the virus's mutation mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using advanced sequencing techniques to study viral fidelity and mutation rates, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Destefano, Jeffrey J — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Destefano, Jeffrey J
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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.