HIV molecular virology, cell biology, and drug development Study Section – HVCD
The HIV Molecular Virology, Cell Biology, and Drug Development (HVCD) study section reviews basic studies involving molecular virology of HIV and host factors impacting viral transmission, replication, expression and persistence in all target cells/tissue susceptible to HIV infection. It also reviews applications involving non-immunological therapeutics and prophylaxis, the identification of potential drug targets, mechanisms of drug action and viral drug resistance and gene-based therapies for HIV.
This study section operates on an expedited cycle as mandated by Congress and only applications in which there is a clear and compelling HIV/AIDS research component are eligible for review in HVCD. Those deemed insufficiently related to HIV/AIDS are assigned to other non-expedited study sections and must be submitted in time to meet the regular application due dates.
Review Dates
Topics
- Structure and function of viral gene products and host factors in virus replication, expression and infection
- Mechanisms of viral evolution and fitness
- Viral and host genetic factors that impact susceptibility to HIV in all target cells/tissues
- System wide approaches including metabolomics, transcriptomics, and phenomics
- Molecular mechanisms of the cellular establishment of latency and viral reactivation, and strategies to eliminate latent/persistent reservoirs
- Identification of novel drug targets to disrupt HIV activities and/or host-virus interactions
- Preclinical drug development for HIV/AIDS prevention and therapy including in vitro and in vivo assessments of efficacy, pharmacology, and toxicity
- Preclinical development of gene and/or nucleic acid targeting strategies
- Preclinical development of antiretroviral drugs, including long-acting formulations, nanotechnology, targeted drug delivery and multipurpose prevention technologies
- Structural and computational approaches to drug and vaccine design
Shared Interests and Overlaps (HIV/AIDS):
There are shared interests with HIV Immunopathogenesis and Vaccine Development (HIVD). Studies addressing immunological aspects of HIV infection, pathogenesis and persistence, immune responses and dysfunction, immune therapeutic approaches, and the development and delivery of candidate HIV vaccines may be reviewed in HIVD, while those studies focused on structural, molecular, and non-immunological studies on HIV infection, pathogenesis, persistence, and therapeutics, including the targeting and elimination of HIV reservoirs, may be reviewed here.
There are shared interests with HIV Comorbidities and Clinical Studies Study Section (HCCS). Clinical studies addressing HIV-associated end organ diseases, biological effects of drug abuse (in the context of HIV/AIDS), antiretroviral drug resistance, or side effects of antiretroviral drugs may be reviewed in HCCS, while those studies focused on basic biological, biochemical and molecular studies addressing preclinical antiretroviral drug development, mechanisms of drug resistance, and the effects of abused drugs on HIV biology and antiretroviral therapies may be reviewed here. HVCD also reviews molecular biology research addressing HIV-associated end organ diseases.
There are shared interests with HIV Coinfections and HIV Associated Cancers (HCAC). Studies on the development of drugs and immune therapeutic strategies to target AIDS-associated opportunistic pathogens may be reviewed in HCAC, while those studies addressing preclinical development of antiretroviral drugs may be reviewed here.
Shared Interests and Overlaps (Non-AIDS):
The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Virus Infection (MCV) study section reviews applications addressing fundamental aspects of non-HIV viral infection, replication and pathogenesis with a focus on the biophysical aspects of virology including structural biology.
