The LiWang group studies proteins and peptides that inhibit HIV entry through various mechanisms. 5P12-RANTES [1] binds CCR5. Griffithsin[2] binds gp120. Our work involves studying the mechanism of these proteins and also attempting to improve them, either with increased potency or broader action against a variety of HIV viral strains. We are also studying ways to stabilize these inhibitors so that they can be used without refrigeration as microbicides to prevent the sexual spread of HIV.

1. Gaertner, H., F. Cerini, J.M. Escola, G. Kuenzi, A. Melotti, R. Offord, I. Rossitto-Borlat, R. Nedellec, J. Salkowitz, G. Gorochov, D. Mosier, and O. Hartley, Highly potent, fully recombinant anti-HIV chemokines: reengineering a low-cost microbicide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 105(46): p. 17706-11 (2008).

2. Mori, T., B.R. O'Keefe, R.C. Sowder, 2nd, S. Bringans, R. Gardella, S. Berg, P. Cochran, J.A. Turpin, R.W. Buckheit, Jr., J.B. McMahon, and M.R. Boyd, Isolation and characterization of griffithsin, a novel HIV-inactivating protein, from the red alga Griffithsia sp. J Biol Chem, 280(10): p. 9345-53 (2005).