Cell Biology of HIV Research

While a great deal is known about the genetics and structure of the HIV virus, less is known about how this pathogen actually interacts with cells during infection. By adapting the methods of modern cell biology to study this problem, scientists are gaining new insights into how the disease is transmitted. Combining advanced imaging techniques, including deconvolution and super-resolution microscopy with live cell imaging, it is possible to follow the movement of viral particles within living cells. Other studies focusing on the interface between the virus and the epithelial cells study the role of mucus and other structures in regulating infectivity.