How HIV's DNA-inserting machinery is built and works
Determinants of Architecture on Retroviral Intasome Mechanics
This project looks at how the protein machines HIV and related viruses use to insert their genetic material into human DNA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11336911 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study viral proteins called integrases that stitch viral DNA into host chromosomes, comparing how different viruses build these protein complexes. They will use biochemical experiments and real-time single-molecule imaging to watch how those complexes search DNA, carry out strand transfer, and interact with damaged DNA or nucleosomes. The team will compare simpler tetrameric integrase assemblies with larger multimeric forms found in lentiviruses like HIV to understand how structure changes function. Although the work is lab-based, the goal is to reveal mechanisms that could point to new ways to block integration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV are the most relevant group because the findings relate to how HIV inserts into human DNA and they might be invited to provide samples or join related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients without HIV or those needing immediate changes to their care are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new weak points in HIV's integration process that help scientists design better drugs to stop the virus from inserting into cells.
How similar studies have performed: Related biochemical and single-molecule studies have previously clarified integrase behavior and helped develop integrase-inhibitor drugs, but the specific effects of different multimer architectures remain a newer area of study.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yoder, Kristine E — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Yoder, Kristine E
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.