This technology allows the identification of a new class of antiviral drugs that inhibit the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through the virological synapse.
Although there are several effective treatments for HIV, it continues to remain an incurable condition that leads to failure and death in the absence of antiviral therapy. Current antiviral drugs are reduce viral loads but are unable to eliminate viral reservoirs. An important source of the persistent reservoir is the replication driven by cell-to-cell infection which has been found to require higher levels of antiretrovirals to be inhibited.
This screen can therefore be utilized to screen small molecules for the identification of compounds that specifically inhibit this mode of transmission.
Current Development Status
- Assay has been miniaturized to 384-well plates and validated using the FDA Spectrum Collection library
Applications
- Identification of compounds that inhibit HIV cell-to-cell infection
Advantages
- Identification of a new class of antivirals
- Potential reduction of viral reservoir
Publications
- Hübner W et al. “Quantitative 3D video microscopy of HIV transfer across T cell virological synapses.” Science 2009 Mar 27; 323(5922):1743-7
Contact
Alan Belicha, PhD
Business Development Analyst
Mount Sinai Innovation Partners | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Phone: 646.605.7306