# MOIR - Machine Learning and Modeling Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $113,672

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Despite the durable suppression of viral replication by ART, HIV persists indefinitely in infected individuals.
Several promising avenues to cure HIV-1 infection have come to light, including gene editing of the CCR5
receptor in CD4 T cells, anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody immunotherapy and the infusion of broadly neutralizing
antibodies. These therapeutic approaches constitute a prime opportunity to extensively understand the
underlying mechanisms associated with the establishment and maintenance of the HIV reservoir, which will
ultimately serve to identify key novel targets for future more refined therapies. Furthermore, the heterogeneity in
human immune function has been mapped to multiple environmental factors such as microbiome, metabolome
and diet, some of which have been associated with the maintenance of the HIV-1 reservoir. In this P01, we
hypothesize that specific key metabolites, microbes and other environmental factors influence the
responsiveness to different therapeutic approaches targeting the HIV reservoir. The main objective of the
Machine Learning and Modeling Core (MLMC) will be to bring together all datasets generated by Projects
1-3 into a cohesive whole to generate mechanistic models of HIV reservoir maintenance. We shall look
into how metabolites modulate the immune transcriptome and epigenome of many subsets. In Aim 1, the MLMC
will provide statistical and bioinformatics support for all projects and identify key correlates of HIV viral rebound
and HIV DNA decay from all large-scale datasets (OMICs). In Aim 2, the MLMC will perform integrative analysis
using novel datasets generated in Aim 1. In Aim 3, the Core will integrate parallel models of regulation of the
HIV reservoir into a global unified model where key recurrent features will be identified as prime targets for future
therapeutic avenues. The MLMC will thus serve as the central resource for this U19 for the integration of all
datasets and generation of mechanistic insights.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10731663
- **Project number:** 1P01AI178376-01
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ashish Arunkumar Sharma
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $113,672
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-07-03 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10731663

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10731663, MOIR - Machine Learning and Modeling Core (1P01AI178376-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10731663. Licensed CC0.

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