Understanding how HIV drugs are activated in colon tissue
Official title: Understanding antiretroviral phosphorylation and dephosphorylation using mass spectrometry imaging-based enzyme histochemistry
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11303630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, patient-friendly look at how two HIV prevention drugs work inside the body and why people may respond differently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 11, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,070 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI190464-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11303630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidate scenarios involve people at risk for HIV who may benefit from more effective PrEP strategies in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not guaranteed during this lab-focused project; future clinical applications would require additional studies.
What this research studies
This project studies how the HIV prevention medications tenofovir and emtricitabine are turned into active forms and deactivated in colonic tissues. It uses mass spectrometry imaging to visualize enzyme activities at the site where PrEP drugs act. By uncovering the mechanistic reasons for different drug responses, the work aims to explain why some people may have better protection from HIV. The insights could help tailor PrEP strategies to individuals in the future. The study is conducted in a lab setting using biological samples, with the potential for later patient-related applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more consistent PrEP protection and inform personalized dosing strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that drug activation and deactivation can affect efficacy, with variability observed in patients; this study explores these mechanisms more deeply.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seneviratne, Herana Kamal — University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Study coordinator: Seneviratne, Herana Kamal
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.