Understanding how gut bacteria, drug use, and immune responses affect HIV acquisition
Official title: HIV Complex Causal Modeling: Gut Microbiome, Drug Use, and Immune Responses
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10987774 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drug use and HIV might affect each other and change the bacteria in our gut, and it's especially for people who have used drugs or are living with HIV/AIDS to help us learn more about these connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,350 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DA061372-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987774 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with drug use disorders or those living with HIV/AIDS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of drug use or are not affected by HIV/AIDS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex relationships between HIV acquisition, drug use disorders, and changes in gut microbiota. By analyzing existing genetic data and employing advanced statistical methods, the study aims to uncover how these factors interact and influence each other. Patients with a history of drug use or those living with HIV/AIDS may provide valuable data to help understand these dynamics. The research will focus on specific drug use disorders, including cannabis, cocaine, tobacco, and opioids, to identify potential causal pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing HIV acquisition among individuals with drug use disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the interplay between gut microbiota and immune responses in various conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Bao-Zhu — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Yang, Bao-Zhu
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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.