Nanotrap vaccines to capture HIV and target infected cells
Official title: Nanotrap Therapeutic Vaccines for HIV Virion Capture and Infected Cell Targeting
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11469857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy uses tiny, engineered particles to grab HIV particles and infected cells, delivering immune-boosting signals to the body to help clear the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $624,806 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI203404-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11469857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with HIV infection who could be eligible for immune-based therapies and have no contraindications to vaccine-like interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced disease, significant comorbidities, or conditions that preclude immune-based therapies may receive limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses specially designed liposomal nanoparticles that display CD4 mimetics to capture HIV virions and carry immune-activating compounds to key immune cells. The approach aims to present the patient’s own virus as a personalized immunogen, potentially strengthening CD8 T-cell responses against HIV. Researchers will study how the size and properties of these complexes affect uptake by antigen-presenting cells and subsequent immune activation, with emphasis on translating findings into more effective therapeutic vaccines. The work builds on early data showing robust antiviral T-cell responses and suggests a dual mechanism: enhancing virion capture and revealing infected cells for immune attack.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve immune responses against HIV and contribute to strategies that help control or reduce viral reservoirs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical work showed that similar nanoparticle vaccines can trigger strong T-cell responses against HIV-like targets, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deak, Peter — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Deak, Peter
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.