Structure-guided Vaccine Designs.
Goals
Design and structurally characerize enevelop proteins to target viruses such as HIV.
Issues Involved or Addressed
Recently the surface proteins of HIV, collectively known as envelop proteins, or Env, have generated promising results by their ability to increase the reactivity of the immune system cells, a process vital for eradicating the virus from the body. However, HIV-1 Env is highly dynamic and has high mutation rates, making vaccine design extremely challenging. A soluble form of Env, gp145 is a candidate for vaccine design. Therefore, structural characterization of gp145 is a crucial step in designing an immunogen-based vaccine. This protein will be expressed and characterized by electron microscopy and other studies.
Methods and Technologies
Academic Majors of Interest
Preferred Interests and Preparation
An interest in elucidating the structure-function relationship of antiviral proteins. Basic understanding of molecular biology techniques, computer modeling, and microscopy.
