Sites of vulnerability on the HIV-1 Envelope glycoprotein (Env) targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). The Env gp120 subunit is depicted in grey, gp41 is black, and binding sites for the major bNAb classes are in color. The Env trimer is anchored into the lipid bilayer by the transmembrane (TM) and cytoplasmic domains.
Principle Investigator: Priyamvada Acharya, Ph.D., Duke University
The Duke Center for HIV Structural Biology (DCHSB) is a global collaboration organized around three projects that will fill gaps in knowledge of the structure, function and immune recognition of the HIV-1 Envelope glycoprotein (Env).
Project 1 will elucidate HIV-1 entry by defining the fusion of the viral and host cell membranes at high spatial and temporal resolution. Project 2 will resolve structures and conformational dynamics of HIV-1 Env interactions with B-cell receptors (BCR) and their effect on downstream BCR signaling. Project 3 will study the role of autologous antibodies in preventing rebound from latent HIV-1 reservoirs. The projects will leverage the expertise and resources of scientific cores that will develop and implement cutting edge structural, computational and immunobiology methods.