Nanoparticle HIV vaccine to teach the immune system to make broad antibodies
Conjugate nanoparticle platform development for HIV-1 envelope immunogens
A new vaccine approach that puts engineered HIV surface proteins on tiny nanoparticles and gives them in a planned sequence to help people's immune systems make broadly protective antibodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239825 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing engineered versions of the HIV envelope protein that bind better to the rare antibody precursors needed for broadly neutralizing antibodies. They will attach these engineered envelopes to nanoparticles so many copies are shown together, which boosts immune activation and improves delivery to germinal centers. The team will refine the particles to avoid misfolded proteins and low expression, test immune responses in laboratory and animal models, and use the results to choose candidates for future human trials. The approach uses a sequence of different immunogens to steer B cells through the specific mutations required to make powerful broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Once the work reaches clinical testing, ideal participants would be adults eligible for vaccine trials—typically healthy volunteers or people at risk for HIV—at trial sites.
Not a fit: People already living with HIV or those unable to join early vaccine trials are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical development work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful this could produce an HIV vaccine that prevents infection by stimulating broadly neutralizing antibodies in people.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and laboratory studies with multimerized Env proteins and lineage-based vaccine designs have shown protection or promising antibody responses, but they have not yet yielded broadly neutralizing antibodies in humans.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saunders, Kevin O — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Saunders, Kevin O
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.