Understanding how gut bacteria influence HIV vaccine responses in infants
Official title: Project 2: Microbial determinants of HIV broadly-neutralizing antibody precursor induction in infants
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11059134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in babies' guts might help their immune systems respond better to an HIV vaccine, with the hope of finding ways to make the vaccine more effective for young children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $252,827 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI178377-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children who are at risk of HIV infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 21 years or those who are not at risk for HIV infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the microbiome, or gut bacteria, affects the immune response to HIV vaccines in infants. By examining the relationship between specific bacterial populations and the production of protective antibodies, the study aims to identify factors that enhance vaccine efficacy. The approach includes analyzing the immune responses of infants receiving a novel HIV vaccine designed to stimulate broadly neutralizing antibodies. The goal is to improve vaccine strategies to better protect young individuals from HIV infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective HIV vaccines for infants, significantly reducing the risk of HIV infection in young populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using microbiome modulation to enhance vaccine responses, indicating that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Paris, Kristina — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: De Paris, Kristina
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.