Federal Grant Award Summary

Weill Medical College of Cornell University received a $877,662 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective May 6, 2026, through April 30, 2031. The award funds investigator-initiated biomedical research examining novel mechanisms of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) resistance in HIV-infected reservoir cells that persist despite antiretroviral therapy. The research employs molecular, cellular, and biophysical approaches to identify latency-independent immune evasion mechanisms, with particular focus on how HIV-infected cells may evade immune-mediated clearance through alterations in cell biomechanics and adhesion properties.

The project deliverables are organized into two specific aims designed to advance understanding of HIV persistence and identify therapeutic targets for reservoir elimination. Aim 1 investigates the molecular basis for cell softening in CTL-resistant cells, examining the interplay between HIV Nef protein and host cell cytoskeletal architecture through integrated biophysical and immunological assays supported by in vivo experiments. Aim 2 addresses additional resistance pathways (details not fully provided in available documentation). These research activities will generate scientific knowledge and methodological advances intended to support the development of novel strategies for targeting persistent HIV reservoirs and improving health outcomes for individuals with HIV infection.