Wes Sundquist, PhD University of Utah CHEETAH Center

Monday, May 1, 2023
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Central Time

Register on Zoom

This event will feature Wes Sundquist, PhD, who will speak about the structure and function of the conical core of the mature infectious HIV-1 virus, which is organized by an outer capsid shell comprising CA protein subunits. Upon infection, the core is released into the cytoplasm of the newly infected cell where it converts into a pre-integration complex that carries the reverse transcribed viral DNA into the nucleus to integrate into the host chromosome. Alternatively, the viral capsid can be recognized and inactivated by components of the innate immune system. He will discuss: 1) studies showing that the HIV-1 capsid has a fullerene cone architecture comprising CA hexamers and pentamers, 2) the identification, by Gilead Sciences, of new and highly potent capsid inhibitors, 3) the development of a cell-free system for HIV-1 replication and integration, and 4) the use of that system to demonstrate that the capsid plays an essential role in viral replication.

Sundquist is the Samuels Distinguished Professor and chair of Biochemistry at the University of Utah, and director of the NIH U54 CHEETAH Center for the Structural Biology of HIV Infection, Restriction, and Viral Dynamics. To address long-standing questions in HIV research, the Third Coast CFAR is seeking to build closer ties and collaborations between scientists associated with the CFAR and other NIH-funded centers, including the CHEETAH Center. This seminar offered by the CFAR’s Viral Pathogenesis Core aims to bridge those connections. CFAR members interested in pursuing new research with investigators from the CHEETAH Center or other Structural Biology Program grantees are encouraged to leverage local funding opportunities available through the Developmental Core.