HIV Molecular Virology

Group Leader   

Associate Professor David Harrich

Summary

The 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. The lab is also interested in cellular factors regulating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Hendra virus replication.

Conditions researched

• HIV/AIDS
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Hendra virus

Current research

• Analysis of HIV host dependency factors required for early steps of HIV replication
• Regulation of HIV replication by RNA and ribonucleoprotein complexes
• Development of potent antiviral proteins based on the viral Tat protein
• Analysis of cellular proteins regulating HIV Rev protein function and trafficking in the cell
• Investigation of how cellular proteins facilitate replication of RSV and Hendra virus.

Staff

Group Leader: Associate Professor David Harrich

Postdoctoral staff: Dr Ann Apolloni, Dr Haran Sivakumaran, Dr Ting Wei, Dr Dongsheng Li

PhD students: Min-Hsuan Lin, Kylie Warren

Visiting scientists: Dr Kirsten Spann, Fangyun Qin, Rui Wang

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following funding agencies:

• National Health and Medical Research Council 
• Australian Research Council
• Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Research
• Support from the Australian Centre for Infectious Diseases, QIMR and Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis (ACH2)

Collaborators

Professor Andreas Suhrbier, QIMR, Brisbane

Professor Richard Gaynor, Eli Lilly, Indianapolis

Professor David Jans, Monash University

Associate Professor Michael Kershaw,

Professor Hao Wu, Beijing Youan Hospital, P.R.China

Associate Professor Alun Jones, University of Queensland

Dr David Warrilow, Queensland Health Scientific Services