Summary of Federal Grant Award

The Scripps Research Institute received a $253,256 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028. The award funds research to establish HIV infection, treatment, and engineered B cell memory responses in the Truly Human Xenograft (THX) mouse model. The research aims to develop a preclinical platform for advancing engineered B cell vaccines as a potential functional cure for HIV by demonstrating whether genome-engineered human B cells can generate broadly neutralizing antibody (BNAB) memory responses following vaccination and establishing an HIV infection and treatment model in THX mice using mucosal challenge, antiretroviral therapy suppression, and analytical treatment interruption protocols.

The deliverables from this research initiative include characterization of immunoglobulin heavy chain-reprogrammed human B cell participation in germinal center reactions, establishment of memory and long-lived plasma cell responses in THX mice, development of an HIV infection and treatment model in THX mice, and comprehensive evaluation of viral rebound and reservoir establishment. Upon completion, the research will provide a critical foundation for advancing engineered B cell therapies and validate the THX mouse as a physiologically relevant platform for HIV infection and treatment studies, directly supporting NIAID's mission to improve public health outcomes in infectious diseases through innovative translational research.