HIV Molecular Virology

Group Leader   

Dr David Harrich

Summary

The HIV Molecular Virology Laboratory analyses human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication. This includes the process by which HIV is able to convert its genetic material composed of RNA into a form compatible with human DNA. Our focus is the discovery of key viral or cellular molecules required for HIV to grow, and then to target their action so that HIV growth can be effectively blocked.

Conditions researched

• HIV/AIDS

Current research

• Investigating Tat-enhanced reverse transcription, mechanisms of Tat trafficking, and methods to block Tat function
• Researching the functions of the transactivation response element (TAR) in reverse transcription.
• Identifying the key factors required for virus replication after entry into a cell
• Investigating viral proteins that are methylated. 

Staff

Group Leader: Dr David Harrich

Postdoctoral staff: Dr Ann Apolloni, Dr David Warrilow

PhD students: Luke Meredith, Haran Sivakumaran, Kylie Warren

Masters student: Min-Hwuan Lin  

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following funding agencies:

• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis (ACH2)

Collaborators

Nitin Saksena, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney

Andreas Suhrbier, QIMR, Brisbane

Alex Khromykh, Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Brisbane

Richard Gaynor, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis

Professor Harry Smith, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane

Sabine Piller, Westmead Millennium Institute, Sydney

David Jans, Monash University

Li Peng, IMVS Adelaide

Chris Burrell, University of Adelaide

Rosemary Kiernan, Institut de Genetique Humaine

Monsef Benkirane, Institut de Genetique Humaine