Peijun zhang biography university pittsburgh

Our research is aimed at an integrated, atomistic understanding of molecular mechanisms of virus and bacteria infections by developing and combining novel technologies for high-resolution cryoEM and cryo-electron tomography with complementary computational and biophysical/biochemical methods.

Current research efforts in our lab are directed to:

HIV-1 capsid assembly, maturation, and interactions with host cell factors

Retroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), contain mature conical capsids that enclose the viral RNA genome, enzymes and accessory proteins.

The assembly and stability of the viral capsid are critical to the viral replication life cycle.

Peijun zhang biography university pittsburgh

Structures of the building blocks of the capsid assembly were determined to atomic level, the mechanisms of capsid assembly and disassembly during a productive infection, however, remain unclear. Such information is essential for the development of therapeutic drugs that target viral capsid.

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