Understanding how HIV behaves and evolves in structured populations
Official title: Description of HIV social behavior using a phylogenetic model of structured co-evolution
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11139567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV behaves in groups, like bacteria do, to understand how it survives even with treatment, and the findings could help develop better ways to manage HIV for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $236,595 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI183992-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with HIV who are experiencing challenges with treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have already achieved viral suppression may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex social behaviors of HIV by examining how the virus interacts within structured populations, similar to bacterial communities. By using genomic sequencing, the study aims to uncover the evolutionary pathways that allow HIV to persist despite treatment efforts. The approach focuses on understanding the cooperative functions of different virus subgroups and how they adapt over time, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing HIV infections. Patients may benefit from insights that could inform more effective treatments and interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapeutic strategies that improve the management of HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding viral behaviors through similar genomic approaches, indicating potential for impactful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Magalis, Brittany — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Magalis, Brittany
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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.