Cell Biology of HIV Research
While a great deal is known about the genetics and structure of the HIV virus, less is known about how this pathogen actually interacts with cells during infection. By adapting the methods of modern cell biology to study this problem, scientists are gaining new insights into how the disease is transmitted. Combining advanced imaging techniques, including deconvolution and super-resolution microscopy with live cell imaging, it is possible to follow the movement of viral particles within living cells. Other studies focusing on the interface between the virus and the epithelial cells study the role of mucus and other structures in regulating infectivity.
Thomas Hope Lab
We are working to provide unique insights into the space and time of the earliest events of HIV transmission and prevention to inform the development of approaches to stem the AIDS pandemic that continues around the world.