The Washington University Office of Sponsored Research Services Division was awarded a $197,366 Project Grant by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (CFDA 93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) to conduct research on understanding the mechanisms that allow the human immune system to naturally restrict a specific subset of HIV viruses. The 5-year study aims to (1) characterize the molecular mechanisms that drive immune-mediated restriction of X4-tropic HIV, which typically emerges in late-stage disease, and (2) understand how this restriction is lost as HIV progresses. The findings from this work are expected to inform future efforts to develop novel HIV treatments that enhance the immune system's ability to restrict the more common R5-tropic HIV strain during early infection. The grant supports a comprehensive career development plan for the principal investigator to gain expertise in studying immune-mediated HIV restriction.