The Behavior of HIV In Viral Environments (B-HIVE) Center furthers the understanding of HIV-1 and its interactions with cellular host factors within distinct cellular environments that shape the HIV replication cycle. With the limited size of the HIV RNA genome, it is no surprise that many of the same gene products end up performing different functions in different cellular environments at different times during replication. These various HIV-1-cell host factor interactions promote the cellular pathogenesis, and ultimately disease, characteristic of HIV-1/AIDS. Building on ten successful years of research from the HIVE Center, B-HIVE members collaboratively explore three complementary Projects that focus on specific stages of the viral replication cycle:

  • Project 1.  Dynamic HIV-1 core interactions with host factors and inhibitors from cytoplasm to nucleus. Discovering and characterizing novel, dynamic interactions between HIV-1 CA and host cell during virus ingress; and characterizing interactions of novel small molecule inhibitors with distinct sites on HIV-1 CA.
  • Project 2.  Structural dynamics of HIV-1 nuclear trafficking, integration, and transition to transcription. Elucidating dynamic HIV-1 core-host cell interactions crucial for nuclear trafficking, uncoating, and integration; defining the structural and dynamic nuclear events underlying HIV-1 integration site selection; and determining the interplay between integration site and transcriptional latency.
  • Project 3.  The dynamics of HIV-1 packaging and assembly. Studying the mechanism of HIV-1 RNA genome packaging and the proteins complexed with HIV-1 RNA; probing the cellular dynamics of the interactions between HIV-1 Gag and identified cellular factors that alter HIV-1 production; and elucidating the dynamics of model Gag assembly and particle formation.

These Projects are supported by four scientific Cores, providing expertise in computation & chemical biology; structure determination; biophysical methods; and sequencing & bioinformatics. Administrative and development Cores foster a diverse, collaborative, and scientifically-supportive environment for HIVE researchers and beyond.

The B-HIVE Center is dedicated to recruiting and training talented scientists, graduate students, and support staff who share our commitment in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion

B-HIVE CENTER ORGANIZATION