Viral section of Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University is focusing on the virological research of human retroviruses including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV). Our goal of the research is complete understanding of the mechanisms how human retroviruses replicate in our human bodies and cause diseases. We believe these approaches are useful to develop strategies preventing the infection such as anti-viral or vaccine development.

 

Research projects of HIV-1

1. Mechanism of HIV-1 entry into cells

2. Mechanism of coreceptor switch from CCR5 to CXCR4

3. Mechanism of viral resistance to coreceptor inhibitors

4. Role of CXCR4 usage in viral pathogenesis

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Research projects of HTLV-1

1. Role of HTLV-1 Env for HTLV-1 entry

2. Role of GLUT1 as the receptor for HTLV-1

 

Research projects of HERV

1. Mechanism of transcriptional regulation of HERV in cells

2. Association of HERV with human diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases

3. Physiological role of HERV in embryogenesis

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Research project of SARS-CoV-2

1. Molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection

2. Role of ACE2 in viral pathogenesis

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Please click here to find our publication list.

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If you are interested in our research, please contact us at

 

ymaeda(atmark)kumamoto-u.ac.jp