Understanding How HIV Enters and Uses Our Cells
HIV-1 Preintegration Trafficking and Nuclear Localization
This research helps us understand how the HIV virus gets into human cells and sets up shop, which could lead to new ways to fight the infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11092160 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have tiny structures inside cells that HIV tries to use to make copies of itself. This research looks closely at how the HIV virus moves inside our cells and finds the right spots in our DNA to hide. We've learned that specific proteins in our cells interact with the virus, guiding it to these hiding places. By understanding these steps, we hope to find new ways to stop the virus from taking over.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients living with HIV, or those at risk, could ultimately benefit from the new therapies or prevention methods that might arise from this fundamental understanding of the virus.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this foundational knowledge could lead to the development of new medications that prevent HIV from integrating into human DNA, offering improved treatments or even new prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: This longstanding grant has already made significant discoveries about how HIV interacts with human cells, building on prior successful research in this area.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Engelman, Alan N. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Engelman, Alan N.
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 below.