How cells control the RNA machinery that HIV can hijack
mRNA Capping Enzyme
This project studies how cells change the protein that makes RNA in ways that can affect HIV gene activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162298 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team is looking at how the molecular machine that copies DNA into RNA is chemically modified during its work and how those changes help or hinder viral activity. They use an engineered piece of that machine (the polymerase CTD) and advanced mass spectrometry to map exactly where chemical tags are added. Experiments are done mainly in yeast cells and cell extracts to follow the timing and enzymes that add or remove those tags. The goal is to link those basic molecular steps to processes known to help HIV turn on its genes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who want to support or follow basic laboratory research related to viral gene control would be the most relevant patient group.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatments or trials would not directly benefit, since this is lab-based basic research rather than a treatment trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets for therapies that block HIV from using your cell's gene-making machinery.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have mapped CTD phosphorylation patterns and linked them to HIV Tat activity, but translating those findings into treatments remains early-stage.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buratowski, Stephen — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Buratowski, Stephen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.