Tracking HIV-specific memory cells in the immune system
Official title: Clonal lineage tracing of HIV specific NK memory cells
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11183911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells remember and fight against HIV in women who have been living with the virus for a long time, to help us learn more about how to improve future vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $220,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI186724-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11183911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who have been infected with HIV and have longitudinal samples available for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not HIV-infected or do not have access to the required longitudinal samples may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain immune cells, known as natural killer (NK) cells, can remember and respond to HIV infections. By using a novel technique called ASAP-seq, the study aims to trace the lineage of these NK cells in a unique group of HIV-infected women over a 30-year period. The approach involves analyzing samples collected before and after HIV infection to understand how these memory cells develop and persist. This could provide valuable insights into the immune response to HIV and inform future vaccine strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of immune memory against HIV, potentially leading to improved vaccines and therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in tracking immune memory in other viral infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for HIV as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Overbaugh, Julie M. — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Overbaugh, Julie M.
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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.