Retrovirology Blog
Thierry Heidmann lectures in Montpellier
Earlier this month Thierry Heidmann delivered a lecture in Montpellier, France and received his Retrovriology Prize trophy. Colleagues organized a "lunch buffet" in his honor. Thierry is pictured with several colleagues below.
From left to right: Christian Devaux, Marc Sitbon, Thierry Heidmann, and Monsef Benkirane.
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Retrovirology article discussed in amfAR eNews
Below is an article from amfAR eNews.
Animal Model Enables Researchers to Track the Evolution of HIV
Jeffrey Laurence, M.D., and Rowena Johnston, Ph.D.
However, sometimes a virus evolves that can out-compete the virus that initially infected the patient, due to changes that may render it less susceptible to attack by the immune system or antiretroviral drugs. These new drug-resistant viruses may also be more or less likely to be transmitted sexually. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) itself exerts “pressure” on HIV populations to evolve, leading to the natural selection of resistant viruses that may have any of the above characteristics. It is therefore crucial to understand how quickly and under which circumstances these drug-resistant viruses emerge, and whether they have any clinically relevant ramifications.
It is difficult to study the emergence of drug-resistant virus in people because of complicating factors such as the potential for repeat infections with new viral strains or imperfect HAART adherence, which is known to increase the rate at which drug resistance emerges. amfAR grantee Dr. Zandrea Ambrose, working at the University of Pittsburgh, with colleagues from the National Cancer Institute, Tufts University, and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, solved these problems by using an animal model that could better control for these possibilities and permit new studies of the evolution of HIV and HIV drug resistance.
Writing in the November issue of the journal Retrovirology, Ambrose and associates reported using a chimeric AIDS virus created in the laboratory by joining the outer envelope and other genes of the monkey AIDS virus, SIV, with the reverse transcriptase gene of the human AIDS virus, HIV. Nine different versions of this virus were injected into three monkeys. The researchers were then able to follow the fate of each of the nine virus subpopulations as they competed with each other for survival inside a single animal under three different conditions. Initially, the monkeys received no treatment, then they were treated with a single anti-HIV drug, and finally, they received a complete HAART regimen consisting of three different anti-HIV drugs.
When the monkeys were treated with a single drug, the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz (Sustiva), viruses carrying mutations that rendered them resistant to efavirenz became dominant within about three months. However, during subsequent treatment with HAART, those viruses that were able to replicate during treatment with efavirenz alone were predominantly susceptible to more comprehensive anti-HIV therapy. This suggested that when a subject is being treated with a full complement of anti-HIV drugs, the presence or absence of at least some known drug-resistant mutations does not greatly influence which types of virus persist, in that drug-resistant virus does not necessarily overtake the original virus.
The authors concluded, “Our new method provided a valuable tool for studying HIV subpopulation emergence, persistence, and decline during ART.”
Dr. Laurence is amfAR’s senior scientific consultant and Dr. Johnston is vice president and director of research.
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The 2009 Retrovirology Prize trophy
Below is a picture of the 2009 Retrovirology Prize trophy awarded to Thierry Heidmann.
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Proclamation of World AIDS Day 2009 by President Obama
The following is the Proclamation of World AIDS Day 2010 by US President Barack Obama.
Presidential Proclamation-- World AIDS Day
A PROCLAMATION
Our Nation joins the world in celebrating the extraordinary advancements we have made in the battle against HIV and AIDS, and remembering those we have lost. Over the past three decades, brave men and women have fought devastating discrimination, stigma, doubt, and violence as they stood in the face of this deadly disease. Many of them would not be here today, but for the dedication of other persons living with HIV, their loved ones and families, community advocates, and members of the medical profession. On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to developing a national AIDS strategy that will establish the priorities necessary to combat this devastating epidemic at home, and to renewing our leadership role and commitments abroad.
Though we have been witness to incredible progress, our struggle against HIV/AIDS is far from over. With an infection occurring every nine-and-a-half minutes in America, there are more than one million individuals estimated to be living with the disease in our country. Of those currently infected, one in five does not know they have the condition, and the majority of new infections are spread by people who are unaware of their own status. HIV/AIDS does not discriminate as it infiltrates neighborhoods and communities. Americans of any gender, age, ethnicity, income, or sexual orientation can and are contracting the disease.
Globally, there are over 33 million people living with HIV. While millions have died from this disease, the death rate is slowly declining due, in part, to our Nation's global effort through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. However, HIV remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Women and children around the world are particularly vulnerable due to gender inequalities, gaps in access to services, and increases in sexual violence. While the statistics are distressing, new medications and scientific advancements give us reason for hope.
Tackling this disease will take an aggressive, steadfast approach. My Administration is developing a national HIV/AIDS strategy to bolster our response to the domestic epidemic, and a global health initiative that will build on PEPFAR's success. We will develop a strategy to reduce HIV incidence, improve access to care, and help eliminate HIV-related health disparities. We have already ensured that visitors to our shores living with HIV are not marginalized and discriminated against because of their HIV status. We have also secured the continuation of critical HIV/AIDS care and treatment services. Today, we recommit ourselves to building on the accomplishments of the past decades that have dramatically changed the domestic and global HIV/AIDS landscape.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 1, 2009, as World AIDS Day. I urge the Governors of the States and the territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join in appropriate activities to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and to provide support and comfort to those living with this disease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
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Citations to Retrovirology articles continue to trend positively
We and others have made the point that a much better measure of scientific importance is reflected in actual citation numbers rather than in the often difficult to understand term “Impact Factor” (see http://www.retrovirology.com/content/6/1/82 ). Accordingly, it is informative to consider periodically how total citations to Retrovirology as a journal stack up. Below, you will see a graph of data captured from ISI Web of Science tabulating annual citations to Retrovirology from 2005 to November 20, 2009. Please keep in mind that there is a bit more than a month remaining in 2009, so the final number for 2009 will be higher. Nevertheless, the slope of annual citations to Retrovirology articles continues in 2009 in an encouragingly positive manner.
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Postdoctoral position available in Vienna Austria
Retrovirology / Cancer Research / Stanislav Indik, Walter Günzburg
University of
A four year PostDoc position is available in the
Large body of scientific evidence suggests that a retrovirus that is closely related to the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), which is associated with mammary adenocarcinomas and T-cell lymphomas in mice, is responsible for breast carcinogenesis in humans. A number of independent laboratories identified DNA sequences of MMTV-like virus as well as the presence of anti-MMTV antibody-crossreactive proteins in human breast cancer tissue. Furthermore, recently our laboratory unequivocally demonstrated that MMTV is capable of infecting various human breast cancer cell lines. This evidence further supports the idea that MMTV (or a virus that is very closely related to MMTV) is enzootically transmitted from mouse to human, similarly as it has recently been suggested for another retrovirus - xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) that was shown to be associated with human prostate cancer.
Our aim is to isolate MMTV-like virus from a human breast cancer tissue and demonstrate its potential to productively infect human cells and cause carcinogenic transformation in an animal in vivo model. Furthermore, we would like to investigate a possible role of the newly discovered MMTV-encoded accessory proteins in tumorigenesis.
Successful candidate must hold a PhD degree in life sciences or Dr. med.vet. or Dr. med. degree. Applicants should have a keen interest in cancer research and a strong background in molecular biology. Application should contain: full CV, publication list, application letter, 2 letters of recommendation and should be submitted electronically to: rektorat@vetmeduni.ac.at ; stanislav.indik@vetmeduni.ac.at ; Walter.Guenzburg@vetmeduni.ac.at (Also for informal enquiries).
Further information:
http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/jobs/107174-Postdoctoral-Fellowships
http://www.vetmeduni.ac.at/en/research/postdoc/pd190/
Closing date for proposals: Oct 30th 2009
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It is with extreme personal sadness that I learned of the passing of John Brady this past weekend after a courageous battle with colon cancer. In 1987, John and I were in the same laboratory when our mentor George Khoury passed on. Since 1987, John has been an esteemed colleague and a thoughtful friend. He and I ran the annual NIH George Khoury Lecture, and I have always admired John's insightul work on HTLV and HIV gene regulation. Our thoughts and prayers are with John's wife Larrine and his children. John --- you will be missed!!!
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Paul Gorry's new recombinant DNA success
Carolyn and Paul Gorry are delighted to announce the arrival of their new son, Mitchell Timothy Gorry, born at 9.30am Wednesday 8th April. He weighed in at 3.84 kg, and is 52 cm long. Both mother and baby are doing great. Congratulations to Carolyn and Paul on another recombinant DNA success!
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I received an announcement (see below) by email this past Thursday (January 29th) on the passing of Bill Harrington. Dr. Harrington was a colleague who had contributed immensely to HTLV-1 research. He will be missed.
"To all faculty, staff and students of the Miller School of Medicine, We are deeply saddened to announce that Dr. William J. Harrington Jr. has died as a result of a catastrophic event. Dr. Harrington, a professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology Oncology, was one of the nicest, most collegial and smartest physician scientists at the medical school.
His achievements, which are too many to list, have had an extraordinary impact on our patients, students and medical science. His research contributions, particularly at the intersection of viral infection and cancer, are immeasurable. Moreover, his commitment to health equity and access to the very best care for the least privileged was exemplary.
Bill was co-director of the William J. Harrington Medical Training Programs for
We have lost a truly outstanding faculty member, but even more significantly a very, very dear friend. Please join us in supporting his family through this difficult time.
Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D. Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean
Marc E. Lippman, M.D. Chair, Department of Medicine
Posted by Kuan-Teh Jeang at 20:13 Comments (0)
Jeremy Luban has told me about a very interesting podcast site for virology. This weekly podcast site "This week in Virology" is hosted by Vincent Racaniello. You can access this site for its insightful content at the following link: http://www.twiv.tv/
Posted by Kuan-Teh Jeang at 13:23 Comments (0)
Paul Gorry wins Young Tall Poppy Science Award
Burnet Institute HIV researcher wins Young Tall Poppy Science Award
Associate Professor Paul Gorry, Laboratory Head and Principal Fellow of the Centre for Virology at the Burnet Institute, is a winner in the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards VIC 2008. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards recognise the achievements of 10 outstanding young Victorian researchers in the sciences including physical, biomedical, applied sciences, engineering and technology. Paul received the award for his internationally-recognised work in the field of HIV research focussing especially on how HIV infects cells of the brain and causes dementia and other neurological problems in patients with AIDS. Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, Professor Brendan Crabb said,“ I am delighted that Paul’s commitment to research of the highest calibre and his career accomplishments have been recognised by this prestigious Award. “This is an outstanding achievement by one of the state’s brightest up-and-coming stars.” Paul Gorry said, “I wholeheartedly thank the Committee for this award. Important medical discoveries are made primarily through basic research efforts in the laboratory. I am looking forward to promoting science to the community, particularly young students, and to show how a career in science can make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of individuals.” Paul is currently the recipient of an R. Douglas Wright Biomedical Career Development Award by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. He graduated from RMIT University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Microbiology in 1994, and completed a Doctorate of Philosophy in 1998. He then undertook a three year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA, before returning to Australia in 2001 to establish his laboratory at the Burnet Institute. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards are made on a state-by-state basis in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards recognise the achievements of younger researchers (up to 40 years of age). The Awards also provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their value as role models by promoting and encouraging an interest in science among school students and the wider community. Previous Award winners have encompassed fields as diverse as cancer research, mental health, environmental engineering, water quality, gene therapy, immunology, fuel technology, climate change, chronobiology, physiotherapy, inorganic chemistry and information technology.
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It is with great sadness that I received news this morning of the passing yesterday of our dear colleague and friend Ralph Grassmann. Ralph has been a valued member of our Retrovirology editorial board, and we plan to remember more about Ralph in Retrovirology in the coming days. A short piece about Ralph and his research interests can be read at the following link: http://htlv-tax.com/biosketchTax_webpage07RG.doc We will miss Ralph for his science and his friendship! Please see a picture of Ralph taken in 2004 below.
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Top 10 most frequently accessed Retrovirology Articles during March
| Top 10 most accessed articles during March 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by Kuan-Teh Jeang at 13:43 Comments (0)
Have you ever wondered how the Public Relations team at BioMed Central publicizes the best and most newsworthy research?
On the right occasions, the BMC team will work to promote a newsworthy research article published in Retrovirology to a general audience via the media. An example of a Retrovirology article that was promoted is Paul Laybourn's recent paper on 'Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Protein Tax Reduces Histone Levels'. For an article to be considered 'newsworthy', the research must be pioneering, interesting/quirky and scientifically sound.
The actual logistics is that the PR team and a freelance science writer screen all research articles to be published and select manuscripts that are potentially newsworthy. These suggestions are compiled into a shortlist and pitched to senior biology and medical editors in a weekly meeting. The team discusses the merits of each shortlisted article and what sort of audience it should be aimed at. When Laybourn et al., was pitched it was agreed that due to the more technical content of this particular piece of research, it should be aimed at a scientific audience. The angle for this story was to be that this is the first example of a reduction of histone levels correlating with viral infection and cancer development.
The release for this article was drafted after the article was pre-accepted and sent off to the author and Editor-in-Chief for review and approval. This was then pitched to number of media contacts with a special interest in the subject areas four days ahead of publication.
The PR team embargoes the majority of articles in order to allow the media enough time to obtain all the relevant information of the research. It is imperative that the contact author is available by phone or email during the embargo period so that journalists can correspond with them if necessary. The embargo lifts on the day of publication and the news of the research is quickly disseminated. Examples here http://news.google.co.uk/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=uk&q=taxing+issue+Retrovirology&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d
A BMC press release can reach news services such as Reuters, Associated Press and United Press International. The information can go global and be picked up by national newspapers such as The Washington Post, LA Times, NY Times, Forbes, The Times, The Telegraph, and Financial Times, and broadcasters such as CNN, BBC, Sky and Fox. Press release services such as EurekAlert and AlphaGalileo are also used, and they can help reach 2500+ journalists.
So now you know how the BMC team is working to bring visibility to your best papers.
Charlotte Webber
Public Relations Assistant
BioMed Central
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HIV-1 Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis
The following book volume has been published in January 2008; an accompanying book volume (volume 55 on basic HIV mechanisms) was released in October 2007.
HIV I: Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis: Clinical Applications, Volume 56, Second Edition (Advances in Pharmacology) (Advances in Pharmacology) (Hardcover)
by Kuan-Teh Jeang (Editor) containing the following 17 chapters (each of the chapters has been listed in PubMed with the indicated identification number)
1: Angeletti PC, Zhang L, Wood C.
The viral etiology of AIDS-associated malignancies.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:509-57. PMID: 18086422
2: Ahmad N.
Molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 vertical transmission and pathogenesis in infants. Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:453-508. PMID: 18086421
3: Schiavone M, Quinto I, Scala G.
Perspectives for a protective HIV-1 vaccine.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:423-52. PMID: 18086420
4: Hoang V, Withers-Ward E, Camerini D.
Nonprimate models of HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:399-422. PMID: 18086419
5: Dang Q, Hirsch VM.
Rapid disease progression to AIDS due to Simian immunodeficiency virus infection of macaques: host and viral factors.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:369-98. PMID: 18086418
6: Klase ZA, Van Duyne R, Kashanchi F.
Identification of potential drug targets using genomics and proteomics: a systems approach.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:327-68. PMID: 18086417
7: Giacca M.
Gene therapy to induce cellular resistance to HIV-1 infection: lessons from clinical trials.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:297-325. PMID: 18086416
8: Quiñones-Mateu ME, Moore-Dudley DM, Jegede O, Weber J, J Arts E.
Viral drug resistance and fitness.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:257-96. PMID: 18086415
9: Turpin JA, Schito ML, Jenkins LM, Inman JK, Appella E.
Topical microbicides: a promising approach for controlling the AIDS pandemic via retroviral zinc finger inhibitors.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:229-56. PMID: 18086414
10: Semenova EA, Marchand C, Pommier Y.
HIV-1 integrase inhibitors: update and perspectives.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:199-228. PMID: 18086413
11: Mitsuya H, Maeda K, Das D, Ghosh AK. Development of protease inhibitors and the fight with drug-resistant HIV-1 variants. Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:169-97.PMID: 18086412
12: Ilina T, Parniak MA.
Inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:121-67. PMID: 18086411
13: Strizki J.
Targeting HIV attachment and entry for therapy.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:93-120. PMID: 18086410
14: Harari A, Pantaleo G.
HIV-1-specific immune response.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:75-92. PMID: 18086409
15: Murphy EM, Jimenez HR, Smith SM.
Current clinical treatments of AIDS.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:27-73. PMID: 18086408
16: Takebe Y, Uenishi R, Li X.
Global molecular epidemiology of HIV: understanding the genesis of AIDS pandemic.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:1-25. PMID: 18086407
17: Weiss RA.
Preface.
Adv Pharmacol. 2008;56:XV-XVII. PMID: 18086406
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