Location:
The Kirby Institute Level 6 Seminar Room Wallace Wurth Building UNSW Australia Sydney NSW 2052
Open to
All
Contact for enquiries
Rata Joseph +61 (0)2 9385 0900 rjoseph@kirby.unsw.edu.au
The Kirby Institute is pleased to present:
Ms Catalina Mendez-PhD Student, Kirby Institute
"Understanding the epigenetics of HIV-1 latency and re-activation"
Abstract:
HIV-1 integrates its DNA within the genome of the host cell as an essential step of its viral replication cycle. This feature allows the virus to persist within an infected individual despite prolonged and successful therapy. As a result, viral rebound occurs upon therapy cessation.
Once HIV-1 has integrated, it behaves like a gene and becomes dependent and susceptible to the molecular processes that regulate gene transcription. While HIV-1 has evolved strategies to hijack the cellular machinery in its favor, it is possible to manipulate the molecular processes to avoid viral rebound.
One of these processes, epigenetics, refers to a variety of cellular events that control gene expression through modification of the chromatin environment surrounding a gene. These events are responsible for the diverse amount of tissues and cell types present in the human body, which are ultimately determined by the specific set of genes that are ON or OFF in a given cell.
Based on these, we have developed a gene therapy approach using small RNAs to specifically direct epigenetic modifications at the HIV-1 promoter that result in chromatin compaction and therefore HIV-1 specific silencing.
Currently considered a very promising approach, the characterisation and limits of this therapy must be exhaustively assessed. On this research I will present latest results characterising the induced epigenetic state during active, latent infection and reactivation.
Please RSVP to rjoseph@kirby.unsw.edu.au for catering purposes by Monday13th July.
Lunch is from 12.30pm sponsored by:
