Understanding how HIV-1 RNA interacts with proteins to improve treatment options
Official title: Development and application of a quantitive model for HIV-1 transcriptional activation driven by TAR RNA conformational dynamics
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10909308 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the HIV virus's RNA interacts with important proteins to help it replicate, and it's for anyone interested in finding new ways to treat HIV by understanding these interactions better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $805,019 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI178848-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909308 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV-1 who may benefit from novel treatment strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV-1 or those with other unrelated health conditions may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the interactions between HIV-1 RNA and proteins that are crucial for the virus's replication. By developing advanced technologies, the project aims to quantitatively analyze these interactions and the conformational changes of the RNA. This will involve using techniques like NMR and computational simulations to predict how RNA sequences influence their ability to bind with proteins. The goal is to create a predictive model that can inform new therapeutic strategies against HIV-1.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for HIV-1 by identifying new therapeutic targets.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding RNA-protein interactions, but this approach aims to provide a more quantitative and predictive framework, making it a novel endeavor.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Al-Hashimi, Hashim M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Al-Hashimi, Hashim M
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.