Our laboratory has worked on the regulatory genes of HIV-1. We were particularly interested in understanding the mechanism of action of the tat regulatory gene. Tat is unique among transcriptional activators in that the gene product interacts with a secondary structural element at the 5' at the end of the RNA transcript. We are also interested in the role of HIV in malignancy, particularly B-cell lymphomas. We have shown that HIV can infect human B-cells in a CD4 independent manner.
The laboratory worked on the regulatory genes of the AIDS retrovirus HIV-1. We are particularly interested in understanding the mechanism of action of the tat gene. This essential positive regulatory gene is unique among transcriptional activators in that the gene product interacts with an RNA structure at the end of the HIV-1 genome. It was our hope that by understanding the mechanism of action of this gene, we will be able to design effective antiviral therapeutics. We are also examining the action of similar genes from HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
AIDS patients frequently present with B-cell malignancies and we were interested in asking whether the virus played a direct role in this disease. In collaboration with Dr. Surendra Sharma we were able to show that HIV-1 can infect human B-cells in culture in a CD4 independent manner
1C06 RR16549-01A1, Peter R. Shank, PI, 6/1/2002-5/31/2005
NIH, NCRR, Research Facilities Construction
1C06RR15471 Peter R. Shank, PI, 10/1/2000-9/30/2005
NIH, NCRR, Research Facilities Construction
NAG5-13579, Peter R. Shank, PI, 9/1/2003-6/30/2006
NASA
DE-FG02-02CH11127, Peter R. Shank, PI, 9/30/2002-12/1/2005
Department of Energy
P30-AI42853 Peter R. Shank, Core Director, 10/1/2007-9/31/2012
CFAR, Charles CJ Carpenter, PI
Immunovirology and Laboratory Services Core Director,
Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research
