Understanding how HIV-1 enters human cells and how to block this process
Official title: HIV-1 membrane fusion and inhibition
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11092162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the HIV-1 virus connects with human cells to help find new ways to stop it from entering those cells, which could lead to better treatments for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $752,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI181618-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at high risk of HIV infection or those currently living with HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other viral infections or those not affected by HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanism by which HIV-1, a virus that causes AIDS, fuses with human cells to deliver its genetic material. The team focuses on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, which plays a crucial role in this fusion process. By studying the structure of this protein in a lab setting that mimics human cell membranes, researchers aim to identify potential targets for new therapies that could prevent HIV-1 from entering cells. This work involves advanced techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to visualize the protein's structure and understand how it interacts with human cell receptors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively block HIV-1 infection, improving outcomes for patients living with or at risk of HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting viral fusion proteins to inhibit infection, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Bing — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chen, Bing
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.