Federal Grant Award Summary

Pennsylvania State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center received a $430,650 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) on June 8, 2026. The award supports an exploratory research initiative investigating the mechanism of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) Gag protein localization to transcription sites. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how HIV-1 Gag proteins bind to unspliced viral RNA at the nuclear transcription site to initiate viral particle assembly and genome packaging. This fundamental research may identify novel therapeutic targets for HIV treatment, given that no current drugs specifically target the genomic RNA incorporation process directed by Gag proteins.

The research project, which extends through May 31, 2028, will examine the role of Mediator proteins—transcription-related host factors identified in the HIV-1 Gag interactome—in facilitating nuclear Gag function and ribonucleoprotein complex formation. The exploratory research design will generate scientific knowledge regarding viral pathogenesis mechanisms and advance understanding of HIV-1 assembly processes, directly supporting NIAID's mission to improve public health through investigator-initiated biomedical research addressing infectious diseases and immunologic disorders.