The geometry of genome access: lessons from HIV

获取细胞核，从而获得其基因组，具有深远的科学和商业意义。它是由核孔复合体内的相分离扩散障碍控制的。然而，最近的证据表明，艾滋病毒可以在其保护性衣壳完好无损的情况下越过这一屏障，尽管它比被动传播的极限大1000倍以上。该项目将软物质物理的概念与重组分析相结合，旨在揭示艾滋病毒衣壳的独特几何形状与它们颠覆核防御能力之间的联系。预期的结果是，对核准入控制的理解发生了阶段性变化，病毒学、生物工程和生物技术带来了下游的好处。

Access to the cell’s nucleus, and hence its genome, is of deep scientific and commercial significance. It is controlled by a phase-separated diffusion barrier within the nuclear pore complex. Recent evidence, however, has shown that HIV can cross this barrier with its protective capsid intact, despite it being over one thousand times larger than the limit for passive transport. Combining concepts from soft-matter physics with recombinant assays, this project aims to uncover the link between the unique geometry of HIV capsids and their ability to subvert the nucleus’ defenses. The expected outcome is a step-change in the understanding of nuclear access control, with downstream benefits to virology, bio-engineering and bio-technology.