Understanding how HIV-1 packages its genome by Gag at transcription sites
Official title: Probing the Mechanism of HIV-1 Gag Localization to Transcription Sites
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11411068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant investigates how the HIV-1 Gag protein finds and binds the viral genome at transcription sites, which could lead to a new way to stop virus assembly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $430,650 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI200569-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this grant as described; the study is mechanistic and laboratory-based.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is described in this grant.
What this research studies
The project looks at where HIV-1 Gag protein goes inside infected cells and how it grabs the viral RNA to form new virus particles. It uses experiments in human cells to pinpoint whether Gag meets RNA at the transcription site in the nucleus or elsewhere. By clarifying this mechanism, researchers hope to identify new targets for therapies that block virus packaging. This work could complement current HIV treatments by addressing drug resistance and viral replication at a new step in the life cycle.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal a novel target to prevent HIV from assembling new viruses, potentially guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary findings and related work suggest Gag–RNA interactions at transcription sites are plausible, indicating potential usefulness but the approach remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
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Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parent, Leslie J — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Parent, Leslie J
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.