# Developing Immunogens to Elicit Broadly Neutralizing anti-HIV-1 Antibodies

> **NIH NIH P01** · CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2024 · $595,000

## Abstract

Project Summary: Protein Expression and Automated Assays Core
Biochemical, structural, and immunization experiments to evaluate new prime/boost regimens
designed and selected to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) will require expression
and purification of large numbers of proteins, including HIV-1 envelope proteins and Abs. The
Protein Expression and Automated Assays Core of this HIVRAD will (i) express and purify mg
quantities of recombinant proteins and (ii) conduct assays to evaluate their activities and the
properties of serum and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) elicited by vaccinations. In Projects 1-3,
Drs. Bjorkman, Hahn, Shaw, and Nussenzweig will make regular use of Core A-produced
recombinant proteins and automated assays carried out on two Tecan Freedom Evo automated
liquid handling stations for the characterization of Env immunogens and Abs from immunized
mice, rabbits, and rhesus macaques (RMs). In addition, the availability of a Berkeley Lights
Beacon Instrument at Caltech to Core A will allow Caltech, UPenn, and Rockefeller labs to rapidly
conduct single B cell assays to assess degrees of Ab cross-reactivity across heterologous Envs
and clone sequences of cross-reactive Abs. The specific aims of Core A are to use high-
throughput methods for: (Aim 1) Expression and purification of mAbs, Env immunogens, and
protein nanoparticles; (Aim 2) Evaluating binding and affinities of Env immunogens for Abs; (Aim
3) Evaluating the potency and breadth of Abs derived from vaccination studies to neutralize
primary strains of HIV-1; and (Aim 4) Conducting B cell characterization and Ab discovery using
a Berkeley Lights Beacon instrument. The Protein Expression and Automated Assays Core
will be directed by Dr. Jost Vielmetter, an expert in protein expression, automated assay
development, and data management. Dr. Kate Malecek, the director of Caltech’s Beacon facility,
will supervise Beacon-related projects. Core A will maintain two custom-equipped Evo Freedom
Liquid handling stations, a surface plasmon resonance instrument with high-throughput
capabilities, and the Berkeley Lights Beacon instrument. Core A personnel will validate, refine,
and trouble-shoot protocols for automated protein expression, binding, in vitro neutralization
assays, Beacon isolation of single B cells from immunized animals, and perform assays for
evaluating Abs and Env proteins for Projects 1-3. The core will also train and assist students,
postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and investigators in the analysis and interpretation of
data from automated assays, keeping track of projects using a cloud-based Notebook application
(Evernote), allowing all researchers to access data and experimental details in real time.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10810304
- **Project number:** 2P01AI100148-11
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Pamela J Bjorkman
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $595,000
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2013-02-10 → 2028-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10810304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10810304, Developing Immunogens to Elicit Broadly Neutralizing anti-HIV-1 Antibodies (2P01AI100148-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10810304. Licensed CC0.

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