The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is proud to announce that Professor Li Wu, PhD, has received a new R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how the host restriction factor SAMHD1 regulates innate immunity and viral gene expression during HIV-1 infection.

HIV-1 remains a major global health challenge, in part due to its ability to persist in host cells despite antiretroviral therapy. Macrophages, a key component of the immune system, contribute to HIV-1 persistence. Understanding how SAMHD1 influences immune activation and viral replication in these cells could reveal new therapeutic targets.

Dr. Wu’s project will focus on the molecular mechanisms by which SAMHD1 modulates HIV-1 infection and immune responses in macrophages. These interdisciplinary studies aim to uncover novel insights into viral persistence, a major barrier to curing HIV-1 infection. This research has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of HIV-1 biology and contribute to the development of new strategies to combat viral persistence. 

The department congratulates Dr. Wu on this exciting achievement and looks forward to the impact of his work.