Why some HIV medicines stop working and how to make better ones
Structural basis for activity of and resistance to HIV integrase inhibitors
This project looks at how HIV’s integrase protein binds integrase-blocking drugs to learn why some viruses become resistant and to guide better treatments for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Salk Institute for Biological Studies NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160561 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team images the HIV integrase protein at very high resolution to see exactly how current drugs attach, runs lab tests that measure how specific viral changes affect drug binding and activity, and uses cell-based experiments to see which viral variants escape treatment. They also run computer simulations and energy calculations to predict which drug designs will stay effective against resistant viruses. The work combines structural biology, biochemistry, virology, and computational design to point toward next-generation integrase inhibitors. This is mostly lab-based research that may use viral samples or patient-derived data rather than offering direct treatment to participants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV—particularly those with or at risk of resistance to integrase inhibitors—are the most relevant group for the findings and possible sample contributions.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those treated exclusively with non-integrase drug classes are unlikely to see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could produce new or improved integrase inhibitors that remain effective against drug-resistant HIV, giving patients more durable treatment options.
How similar studies have performed: Structural and biochemical studies have previously helped design successful HIV drugs, and this project extends those proven methods to address newer resistance issues.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, UNITED STATES
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lyumkis, Dmitry — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Study coordinator: Lyumkis, Dmitry
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.