Structure-based inhibitors to block HIV and LINE-1 reverse transcriptases
Official title: Structure-Based Development of Nucleotide-Competing Inhibitors Against HIV-1 and LINE-1 Reverse Transcriptases
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11470303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to develop new, more precise inhibitors that block HIV-1 and LINE-1 reverse transcriptases without the side effects of current drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 17, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $235,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI203457-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11470303 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals living with HIV or conditions where LINE-1 activity is a concern, should future trials be developed.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without involvement in HIV infection or LINE-1–related conditions may not directly benefit from this early-stage work.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating nucleotide-competing inhibitors that fit the active sites of HIV-1 RT and LINE-1 RT to stop their DNA synthesis. Researchers will use structural information and chemistry to design and optimize these inhibitors and confirm how they bind using crystal structures and biochemical tests. The work could pave the way for drugs with better safety and effectiveness for people living with HIV and conditions linked to LINE-1 activity, such as aging and autoimmunity. It is an early, proof-of-concept, focusing on translating structural insights into new therapeutic possibilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain access to more selective HIV therapies and potential treatments affecting LINE-1–related conditions with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior structural studies have demonstrated a viable mechanism for nucleotide-competitive inhibitors, supporting continuation into HIV-1 RT and LINE-1 RT targets.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruiz Figueras, Francesc Xavier — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ruiz Figueras, Francesc Xavier
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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.