Andrew J. Mouland, McGill University

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Professor Montreal, Quebec andrew.mouland@mcgill.ca

Expert In

AIDS/HIV Gene expression RNA biology RNA trafficking Virus-host interactions

Bio/Research

My laboratory focuses on the molecular and cellular biology of retroviruses, in particular the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is now established that HIV-1, like all viruses, commandeers major host machineries (e.g., transcription, translation, endosomal vesicle traffic) and coopts several host proteins for replication. One of our main research focuses is the further identification of host machineries and proteins involved in the fate and metabolism of HIV-1 RNAs. Specifically, we have identified several key cellular proteins that are involved in the fate of HIV-1 RNA in the cell. These proteins mark HIV-1 RNAs following their synthesis and are involved in the trafficking of HIV-1 RNAs from the nucleus into the cytosol, then to sites of viral assembly and finally, into the virus. Other proteins identified by members of the lab have important effects on the metabolism of HIV-1 RNAs in cells. We are also interested in identifying the protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions that occur in the infected cell between the host cell and the virus. Using biochemical, genetic, in vitro and in vivo techniques combined with digital imaging in fixed and live cells and biophysical assays such as bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and Bi- and Tri-molecular fluorescence complementation we are elucidating the mechanisms by which HIV-1 RNAs are directed to sites of viral RNA translation and viral assembly. These studies will likely lead to a better understanding of fundamental cellular processes (e.g, RNA trafficking, translation, metabolism) as well as to a more profound understanding on how HIV-1 is able to replicate.

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