Pinpointing where HIV hides in the body
Project 1: Dissecting Persistent Virus Reservoirs in Tissues
Using PET-CT scans and a virus-targeted imaging probe to find and sample hidden HIV in tissues to help people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11381208 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses a radio-labeled antibody probe together with PET-CT imaging to highlight pockets of virus in the body and guide targeted tissue collection. Most work described uses SIV in animal models to map and validate where virus-producing cells live and to confirm infection with multiple lab markers. They optimized a 64Cu-labeled anti-envelope probe (64Cu-7D3FAB2) to identify “hot” tissue sites and then examine those samples down to electron microscopy. The goal is to reveal the cell types and anatomical sites that maintain the viral reservoir so future human-directed cure strategies can be better designed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who are interested in cure-focused research, tissue donation, or participating in related clinical studies would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those seeking immediate clinical treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal the precise locations and cell types where HIV persists, helping design targeted cure approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Related PET-imaging and labeled-probe methods have located virus-infected tissues in animal models, but translation to humans and therapeutic impact remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hope, Thomas — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Hope, Thomas
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.