Using designed peptides to disrupt HIV assembly
Official title: Inducing Off-pathway Assembly of HIV Gag Polyprotein with Computationally Designed Peptides
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10894759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special proteins can stop the HIV virus from forming in a way that makes it infectious, which could lead to new treatments for people living with HIV, especially those who have trouble with current medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $475,447 |
| NIH project number | 5DP2AI177928-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV, particularly those who have experienced antiviral drug resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with HIV or those who have not developed resistance to existing antiviral treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specially designed peptides can interfere with the assembly of the HIV virus, aiming to prevent it from becoming infectious. By targeting the self-assembly signals of the virus, the study seeks to redirect the assembly process towards non-infectious forms. This innovative approach could help overcome the challenges posed by antiviral drug resistance, potentially leading to new treatment strategies for HIV. Patients may benefit from this research as it explores a novel method to combat a virus that has proven difficult to treat effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively prevent HIV from becoming infectious, improving treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using designed peptides is innovative, similar strategies targeting viral assembly have shown promise in other contexts, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villegas, Jose Abraham — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Villegas, Jose Abraham
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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.