Vaccines to trigger broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV
Developing Immunogens to Elicit Broadly Neutralizing anti-HIV-1 Antibodies
['FUNDING_P01'] · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · NIH-11252585
This project builds vaccine pieces to train the immune system to make broadly neutralizing antibodies that can block many different HIV strains.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PASADENA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11252585 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and testing vaccine components made from engineered HIV envelope proteins presented on nanoparticles to teach the immune system to focus on key virus sites. They give sequential prime-and-boost immunizations in animals (mice, rabbits, and rhesus macaques) to shape antibody responses and improve strength and durability. The teams study how antibody feedback and epitope masking push responses off-target and redesign boosts to keep responses focused on broadly protective sites. Lessons from these lab and animal studies will guide the design of future human vaccine trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are HIV-negative but at risk of infection and willing to join preventive vaccine trials would be the ideal candidates for later human testing.
Not a fit: People with advanced untreated HIV or severely weakened immune systems are unlikely to benefit from a preventive vaccine and may not mount good responses in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a preventive HIV vaccine that provides stronger, broader, and longer-lasting protection against many HIV strains.
How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches by these labs have produced cross-neutralizing antibodies in animals but have not yet achieved high-potency, durable protection in viral challenge studies.
Where this research is happening
PASADENA, UNITED STATES
- CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY — PASADENA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BJORKMAN, PAMELA J — CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Study coordinator: BJORKMAN, PAMELA J
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.
Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome