Understanding how HIV hides and how to wake it up
Official title: Novel Epigenetic Marks for HIV Latency Entry and Reversal
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10885922 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how HIV can hide in the body and is exploring new ways to wake it up so it can be treated, which could help people living with HIV find better therapies in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI167709-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885922 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who have developed latent infections and are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have advanced AIDS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that allow HIV to remain dormant in the body and explores new ways to activate the virus for treatment. By focusing on epigenetic changes, particularly the role of crotonylation, the study aims to identify how these modifications can influence HIV transcription and latency. The researchers will analyze the chromatin structure around the HIV promoter to develop strategies that could potentially eliminate hidden HIV reservoirs. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective therapies for HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in eradicating latent HIV reservoirs, improving treatment outcomes for patients living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting HIV latency through epigenetic modifications, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Guochun — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Guochun
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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.