Seeing how HIV's copying enzyme changes during drug action
"On the Fly" Time Resolved Cryo-EM Studies of Intermediate HIV-1 RT Transition States
Researchers are using very fast cryo-electron microscopy to capture short-lived shapes of the HIV enzyme that copies the virus, which may help people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144300 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses fast cryo-electron microscopy to capture fleeting shapes of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase as it copies viral genetic material and interacts with drugs. The team uses two "on-the-fly" methods—rapid chemical mixing and light-triggered uncaging—to freeze and image very short-lived reaction steps. By visualizing how nucleoside drugs and natural building blocks fit into the enzyme, the researchers aim to reveal how drug action and resistance develop. The work is lab-based and focused on molecular snapshots that could guide future drug design.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV—especially those taking or failing nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) therapies or with known resistance mutations—are most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those whose treatment does not involve NRTIs are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide development of HIV drugs that work better and are less prone to resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous structural biology has informed HIV drug design, but time-resolved cryo-EM of rapid enzyme reaction steps is relatively new and supported so far by promising preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Calero, Guillermo Alberto — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Calero, Guillermo Alberto
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.