New inhibitors that block HIV-1 integrase during virus maturation
Official title: New Inhibitors Targeting HIV-1 Integrase During Viral Maturation
Funded at University of Southern Mississippi · NIH-11378678 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new class of small molecules targets HIV-1 integrase to disrupt virus maturation, potentially reducing the ability of HIV to replicate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hattiesburg, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $367,797 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI140985-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378678 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this preclinical grant; no direct patient enrollment is described.
✕Less likely to help
No patient participation is described in this predominantly laboratory-based project.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how HIV-1 integrase helps form infectious virus particles and how new compounds called ALLINIs interfere with those processes. Researchers will map how integrase binds viral RNA and how its multimer formation affects virus assembly. They will use biochemical methods to understand these interactions and design next-generation inhibitors. The work aims to connect molecular findings to the goal of preventing HIV replication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new antiviral drugs that hinder HIV replication by disrupting integrase functions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies with ALLINIs have shown promise in disrupting virus maturation, supporting continued exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kessl, Jacques J. — University of Southern Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Kessl, Jacques J.
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.