Overview
The Retroviral Evolution Section conducts groundbreaking research to better understand fundamental features of HIV transmission, persistence, and evolution that allow the pathogen to continue evading eradication strategies.
Our scientists harness molecular biology approaches to generate, manipulate, and employ novel viral systems to take full advantage of the unique benefits afforded by nonhuman primate models to test specific hypotheses in vivo.
Innovations
Download the Barcode Analysis Tool
MiSeq BAF folder contains an R-script with associated support files to demultiplex next-generation sequencing and determine the abundance of individually barcoded SIV/SHIV viral lineages. Please read the Barcode Analysis Application User Guide, which is included in the folder, prior to starting.
MiSeq Env folder contains an R-script to determine the abundance of two regions of the Envelope Glycoprotein in SIVmac239 following amplicon sequencing.
For questions, please email Brandon Keele, Ph.D., at keelebf@mail.nih.gov.
Focus
Retroviral transmission and early viral dynamics
- Study the process involved in initial HIV transmission.
- Assess viral requirements essential for successful transmission.
- Address the viral/host mechanics and dynamics that occur between initial virus exposure and detectable plasma viremia weeks later.
- Understand the process of mucosal transmission.
- Develop new approaches for transmission assessment.
Reservoir establishment and persistence
- Gain unique insights into the complex nature of viral reservoirs, which enable HIV to accumulate and persist.
- Use insights on reservoir formation and rebound to inform intervention strategies seeking a functional cure of HIV.
- Use a developed barcoded virus system to track and quantify individual viral variants during the establishment of viral reservoirs.
- Identify the number and dynamics of rebounding viral lineages once suppressive therapy is removed.
Retroviral dynamics of evolution
- Understand the dynamics involved in driving the generation of viral mutations, the phenotypic consequences of these mutations, and the resulting process of fitness selection.
- Discover how adaptation occurs within individual, genetically defined viral lineages using molecular barcodes.
- Use specialized virus and nonhuman primate models to identify potential viral weaknesses that can be exploited through thoughtful interventions.