Understanding how infants develop antibodies against HIV
Official title: Determinants of HIV broadly-neutralizing antibody precursor induction in infants
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11059119 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how babies can create strong defenses against HIV better than adults, and it aims to find out what helps them do this so we can improve vaccines for preventing HIV in infants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| 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 | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,516,969 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI178377-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059119 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children who are at risk of HIV infection or have been diagnosed with HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are adults or those who do not have HIV or are not at risk for HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how infants can produce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against HIV more effectively than adults. It focuses on identifying the early factors that influence the induction of these antibodies, particularly looking at the role of adjuvants and the host microbiota. By using advanced techniques to analyze biological data, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that enable infants to develop these antibodies sooner and with fewer mutations. The findings could lead to improved vaccine strategies for preventing HIV in infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective HIV vaccines for infants, potentially reducing the incidence of HIV in this vulnerable population.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding antibody development in infants, but this specific approach focusing on bNAb precursor induction is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Paris, Kristina — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: De Paris, Kristina
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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.