Targeted HIV medicine delivery to gut tissues
Official title: A targeted anti-HIV drug delivery to the GALT
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11124783 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to create a new way to deliver HIV medicines directly to hidden virus in the gut, helping people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $554,550 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI147731-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124783 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for individuals living with HIV-1, especially those whose virus persists in gut tissues despite current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV-1 or whose virus is not primarily harbored in gut-associated lymphoid tissue may not directly benefit from this specific delivery method.
What this research studies
Current HIV treatments have greatly improved health, but the virus can still hide in certain parts of the body, like the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), making it hard to fully get rid of. This project is developing a special 'nanodrug' that uses tiny particles to carry three anti-HIV medications. These particles are designed to specifically target and enter certain cells in the gut, called M-cells, which can then transport the medicine deeper into the GALT. The hope is that this targeted delivery will keep the medicine in these hard-to-reach areas for longer, more effectively clearing the hidden virus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective treatments that eliminate hidden HIV reservoirs, potentially moving closer to a cure or significantly improving long-term health for people with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: While current combined antiretroviral therapies are highly effective, directly targeting HIV reservoirs in the GALT with nanomedicine is a novel approach that builds on existing drug knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roy, Upal — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Roy, Upal
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cellular tests of how genes and environment shape disease risk
A study using patient-derived stem cells to see how genetics and environmental exposures interact to affect disease-related cellular traits.
-
How specific RNA molecules influence estrogen-driven cell growth
This project looks at whether certain RNA molecules change how estrogen fuels growth in estrogen-receptor-positive cells, which is relevant to people with ER-positive breast cancer.
-
How a Mild Brain Injury Might Raise Heart Disease Risk Later
A study in people with a mild brain injury (like a concussion) explores how inflammation after injury could lead to heart disease years down the line.
-
Genomic clues to how pollutants raise depression risk in Mexican American families
This project looks at how environmental pollutants may contribute to major depressive disorder in multi-generational Mexican American families, using genomic and pollutant measurements to find risky factors.
-
Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
-
Community Engagement Core for Genomics in South Texas
A community-focused program in South Texas will build trusted relationships, improve understanding of genomics, and encourage participation in genomic research to benefit local health.
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.