nih-gov/www.nih.gov/node/9451
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

575 lines
44 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#">
<head>
<title>Scientists Uncover Structure of HIV Genome | National Institutes of Health (NIH)</title>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"nih" };
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
//]]>
</script><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rjIoO4vW0AYgltSYvxM1L_CzGIkq28kHf9gHIASKx8s" />
<link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" />
<meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/all/themes/nih/apple-touch-icon.png" />
<meta name="description" content="Researchers have created the first comprehensive picture of how the entire HIV genome bends and folds. The finding may point to new options for treating or blocking HIV and other viral infections." />
<meta name="keywords" content="NIH, research, study, discovery, biology, biological, medical, health, news, update, updates, highlights, advances, discovery, discoveries, research news, research update, research highlights, research advances, research discoveries, medical research news, medical research update, research column, medical information, health news, biomedical, biological science, medical findings, research findings, medical research findings" />
<meta name="robots" content="follow, index" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-uncover-structure-hiv-genome" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nih.gov/node/9451" />
<meta http-equiv="content-language" content="EN" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institutes of Health (NIH)" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Scientists Uncover Structure of HIV Genome" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-uncover-structure-hiv-genome" />
<meta property="og:description" content="Researchers have created the first comprehensive picture of how the entire HIV genome bends and folds. The finding may point to new options for treating or blocking HIV and other viral infections." />
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2015-07-13T11:23:50-04:00" />
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Scientists Uncover Structure of HIV Genome" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-uncover-structure-hiv-genome" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Researchers have created the first comprehensive picture of how the entire HIV genome bends and folds. The finding may point to new options for treating or blocking HIV and other viral infections." />
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg" />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2015-05-31T19:03:23-04:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2015-07-13T11:23:50-04:00" />
<meta name="owner" content="OD" />
<meta name="published_date" content="2015-05-31T19:03:23-04:00" />
<meta name="last_revision" content="2015-07-13T11:23:50-04:00" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_PfvPCWanzn7FjDwZqwAHhPoOxYKwkQP-RZSK1pFFG0s.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css__mIWP9gcStq74isjZVoAAsiih8VXwJoN75Nyw_BXrj0.css" media="screen" />
<style media="print">#sb-container{position:relative;}#sb-overlay{display:none;}#sb-wrapper{position:relative;top:0;left:0;}#sb-loading{display:none;}
</style>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_jENQOQqZCRFGZK__DTefxYiXR2RUf03k1ugj3_Vg7vk.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_3yt-b0M1HNJsvKsXwYjh5TEtX2lJGAvJvtmVAfORYZs.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Droid+Sans:700,regular|Droid+Serif:italic,regular&amp;subset=latin" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_E4VlyxyL3JMcT6dslWLGb0uQdoI2bh_Xj0N65V-bcWo.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_5rDMv37-JxnNA70cRr_1jlAjVs56DCb8EN4XB2QLl0c.css" media="all" />
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_aLJB_yHt22A_mQek4IRDNsur5tEkCpqLe72j_w6QHQ0.css" media="all" />
<![endif]-->
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_KviiBystpJcQq4MplcQZvCFxnu9V763f5bPq_AKh4xM.css" media="all" />
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_mQAv54bz2JVXcwS5QWlz0fVY9Os67zeu9bgNqtlVLPY.js"></script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.2/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.4.1.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery && window.jQuery.migrateWarnings || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1.4.1/jquery-migrate.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_9sGTPBGcOGZjLiSLGrYEnuUf8VdvLmL_DEZNNNbnHXk.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_hNnF7a_sbk6nZ2-mOamHzalYND7HBHDLRInsaU93HDk.js"></script>
<script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script>
<script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.js"></script>
<script defer="defer" src="//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0011/2616.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_3s0l7MQ3oYmGkNAypyzCJq3a0wT85XX_P1SLgnph5K4.js"></script>
<script>
Shadowbox.path = "/sites/all/libraries/shadowbox/";
</script>
<script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"instances":"{\u0022default\u0022:{\u0022content\u0022:{\u0022text\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022style\u0022:{\u0022tip\u0022:false,\u0022classes\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022position\u0022:{\u0022at\u0022:\u0022bottom right\u0022,\u0022adjust\u0022:{\u0022method\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022my\u0022:\u0022top left\u0022,\u0022viewport\u0022:false},\u0022show\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseenter \u0022},\u0022hide\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseleave \u0022}}}","qtipDebug":"{\u0022leaveElement\u0022:0}","shadowbox":{"animate":true,"animateFade":true,"animSequence":"wh","auto_enable_all_images":1,"auto_gallery":1,"autoplayMovies":true,"continuous":false,"counterLimit":10,"counterType":"default","displayCounter":true,"displayNav":true,"enableKeys":true,"fadeDuration":0.34999999999999998,"handleOversize":"resize","handleUnsupported":"link","initialHeight":160,"initialWidth":320,"language":"en","modal":false,"overlayColor":"#000","overlayOpacity":0.80000000000000004,"resizeDuration":0.55000000000000004,"showMovieControls":true,"slideshowDelay":0,"viewportPadding":20,"useSizzle":false},"picture":{"mappings":[["Sidebar media mappings","sidebar_media_mappings"],["Floated media mappings","floated_media_mappings"],["Not Set","not_set"]],"label":"Image size (required)"},"extlink":{"extTarget":"_blank","extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extIconPlacement":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"(.\\.nih\\.gov.)|(.\\.cancer\\.gov.)|(.\\.genome\\.gov.)|(.\\.drugabuse\\.gov.)|(locatorplus\\.gov.)|(.\\.govdelivery\\.com.)|(.\\.hatchbuck\\.com.)|(nihseniorhealth\\.gov.)|(clinicaltrials\\.gov.)|(search\\.usa\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(search\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(drugabuse\\.gov.)|(medlineplus\\.gov.)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov.)|(smokefree\\.gov.)|(arpa-h\\.gov.)|(nih\\.sharepoint\\.com)","extInclude":"(.\\.pagefreezer\\.com.)","extCssExclude":".media, .emergency-message, .slideshow-main, .bean-home-slideshow-2l-block","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are leaving the NIH website.\r\n\r\nThis external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.\r\n\r\nLinking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site\u2019s privacy policy when you follow the link.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)","extUseFontAwesome":0}});</script>
<script type="application/javascript" id="uws-snippet">
// Verint Unified WebSDK Integration Snippet v2.3
//
// Instructions: please embed this snippet directly into every page of your website template.
// For optimal performance, this should be embedded directly into the template, not referenced as
// an external file.
//
// DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE *****************************************
(function () {
var cookies = document.cookie.split("; ").reduce(function (o, i) { var p = i.split("="); o[p[0]] = p[1]; return o; }, {});
var containerValue = cookies.uws_container_override && JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(cookies.uws_container_override));
var config = {
moduleHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
configHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
siteKey: "nih-gov",
container: containerValue || "live",
loadTime: Date.now()
};
var readyCallbacks = []; window.uwsReady = function (callback) { readyCallbacks.push(callback); };
var sdkPath = "//" + [config.moduleHost, "files/sites", config.siteKey, config.container, "sdk.js"].join("/");
var script = document.createElement("script"); script.src = sdkPath; script.async = true; script.type = "module";
script.addEventListener("load", function () { window.unifiedSDK.start(config, readyCallbacks); });
document.head.appendChild(script);
})();
// DO NOT MODIFY ABOVE THIS LINE *****************************************
</script>
</head>
<body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-9451 node-type-nih-research-matters section navigation-nih-research-matters section-news-events">
<a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a>
<noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5CBCNW2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
<div class="l-page has-one-sidebar has-sidebar-second">
<div class="l-page-content">
<header class="l-header" role="banner">
<div class="l-ribbon-wrapper">
<ul class="l-ribbon">
<li><span class="ribbon-hhs"></span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services</a><span class="ribbon-right"></span></li>
</ul>
</div> <div class="l-banner-wrapper">
<div class="l-banner">
<div class="l-branding">
<a class="nih-logo icon-nih-logo" href="/" title="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" rel="home"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nih/images/nih-logo-color.png" width="390" height="60" alt="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" /></a>
</div>
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" id="search" class="search-form site-search" method="get">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<label for="query" class="hide">Search the NIH Website</label>
<input autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-site-search" id="query" name="query" type="text" placeholder="Search NIH" /><input type="submit" name="commit" value="Search" class="form-button form-button-site-search" />
</form>
<ul class="banner-utilities">
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ned.nih.gov/">Staff Directory</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Espa&ntilde;ol</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<div class="l-navigation-wrapper">
<!-- ****************** SITE MENU ****************** -->
<h2 class="element-invisible">Site Menu</h2>
<nav class="l-menu-wrapper">
<ul class="l-menu">
<!-- ********* HOME TAB (Mobile view only) ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-home">
<div class="tab home"><a href="/"><span>Home</span></a></div>
</li>
<!-- ********* HEALTH INFO TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-healthinfo tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/health-information"><span>Health Information</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/health-care-facilities/index.html">Health Care Providers & Facilities</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/health-info-lines">Health Info Lines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you">NIH Clinical Research Trials and You</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor">Talking to Your Doctor</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/clear-health-nih" title="">Clear Health AZ</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/health-information" title="More Health Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<form id="hipsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" method="get" class="search-form">
<p class="subhead"><label for="query2">Search Health Topics</label></p>
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="hip" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="940" />
<input autocomplete="on" maxlength="50" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-medlineplus" href="https://medlineplus.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">MedlinePlus Health Info</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-wellnesstoolkits" href="/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits"><span class="minibadge-text">Wellness Toolkits</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* GRANTS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-grants tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/grants-funding"><span>Grants & Funding</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov">Grants Home Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm">Find Funding</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm">Due Dates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html">How to Apply</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/about_grants.htm">About Grants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/index.htm">Policy &amp; Compliance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/">Grants News/Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/contracts.htm">Contracts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lrp.nih.gov/">Loan Repayment</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/grants-funding" title="More Grants &amp; Funding Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-report" href="https://report.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">RePORT</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-era" href="https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/"><span class="minibadge-text">eRA Commons</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-commonfund" href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Common Fund</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* NEWS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-news tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/news-events"><span>News &amp; Events</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/news-events/news-releases">News Releases</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/digital-media-kits">Digital Media Kits</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-resources">Media Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/images-b-roll">Images and B-roll</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/events">Events</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/social-media-outreach">Social Media</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/news-events" title="More News &amp; Events">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-researchmatters" href="/news-events/nih-research-matters"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Research Matters</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihrecord" href="https://nihrecord.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Record</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* RESEARCH TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-research tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/research-training"><span>Research &amp; Training</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/research-training/medical-research-initiatives">Medical Research Initiatives</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-highlights">Science Highlights</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-nih-labs-clinics">Research in NIH Labs &amp; Clinics</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/training-opportunities">Training Opportunities</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/library-resources">Library Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-resources">Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/clinical-research-resources">Clinical Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/safety-regulation-guidance">Safety, Regulation and Guidance</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/research-training" title="More Research &amp; Training">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-pubmed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">PubMed</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-stemcell" href="https://stemcells.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">Stem Cell Information</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-oppnet" href="https://oppnet.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">OppNet</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nidb" href="https://intramural.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIDB</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihblueprint" href="https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* INSTITUTES TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-institutes tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/institutes-nih"><span>Institutes at NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers">List of Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/directors-nih-institutes-centers">Directors of NIH Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-institute-center-contact-information">NIH Institute and Center Contact Information</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/institutes-nih" title="More About the Institutes at NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="ic-acronymn-list">
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.gov" title="National Cancer Institute">NCI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nei.nih.gov" title="National Eye Institute">NEI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov" title="National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute">NHLBI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.genome.gov" title="National Human Genome Research Institute">NHGRI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Aging">NIA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism">NIAAA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases">NIAID</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases">NIAMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering">NIBIB</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov" title="Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development">NICHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders">NIDCD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research">NIDCR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases">NIDDK</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nida.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Drug Abuse">NIDA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences">NIEHS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov" title="National Institute of General Medical Sciences">NIGMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimhd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities">NIMHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke">NINDS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Nursing Research">NINR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cc.nih.gov" title="NIH Clinical Center">CC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cit.nih.gov" title="Center for Information Technology">CIT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.csr.nih.gov" title="Center for Scientific Review">CSR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fic.nih.gov" title="Fogarty International Center">FIC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ncats.nih.gov" title="National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences">NCATS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nccih.nih.gov" title="National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health">NCCIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* ABOUT TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-about tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/about-nih"><span>About NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are">Who We Are</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do">What We Do</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hr.nih.gov/jobs">Jobs at NIH</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/about-nih/explore-nih">Explore NIH</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/about-nih" title="More About NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director">The NIH Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Take the Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health">NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research">Impact of NIH Research</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/science-health-public-trust">Science, Health, and Public Trust</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="tab-bkgnd"></div><!-- For pixel rounding issue -->
</nav>
<!-- ****************** END SITE MENU ****************** -->
</div>
<div class="l-main-wrapper">
<div class="l-main" id="page-content">
<h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> » <a href="/news-events">News &amp; Events</a> » <a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></div> <div class="l-region l-region--section-header">
<div id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101" id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101">
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<h2><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></h2> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-content-wrapper">
<div class="l-content" role="main">
<a id="main-content"></a>
<div about="/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-uncover-structure-hiv-genome" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" class="ds-1col node node--nih-research-matters view-mode-full node--full node--nih-research-matters--full clearfix">
<p class="publishdate"><span property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2009-08-31T00:00:00-04:00" class="date-display-single">August 31, 2009</span></p><div class='syndicate'><h1>Scientists Uncover Structure of HIV Genome</h1><div class="media-float-right"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
<picture title="Section of the HIV-1 RNA genome&#039;s secondary structure">
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg?itok=lmwwtYEj&amp;timestamp=1434640063 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg?itok=kFx-5v6a&amp;timestamp=1434640063 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg?itok=B9tTrtd3&amp;timestamp=1434640063 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg?itok=DFcAo7ob&amp;timestamp=1434640063 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)" />
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg?itok=YV-Rar9o&amp;timestamp=1434640063 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)" />
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
<img src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2009/20090831-hiv.jpg?itok=kFx-5v6a&amp;timestamp=1434640063" alt="Section of the HIV-1 RNA genome&#039;s secondary structure" title="Section of the HIV-1 RNA genome&#039;s secondary structure" />
</picture><span class="caption">A portion of the HIV-1 genome's secondary structure, including stems and loops in protein-coding regions. Colored dots represent nucleotide building blocks, and different colors correspond to varying degrees of flexibility.</span><span class="credit"> Nature and Dr. Kevin Weeks.</span></div>
</div><p>Researchers have created the first comprehensive picture of how the entire HIV genome bends and folds. The finding may point to new options for treating or blocking HIV and other viral infections.</p>
<p>Unlike the double-stranded DNA that makes up the genomes of humans and other organisms, many viruses—like those that cause AIDS, rabies and the flu—carry their genetic information in a single strand of RNA. While double-stranded DNA generally forms into the familiar double helix shape, RNA genomes fold themselves into unusual kinks, loops and knots.</p>
<p>Scientists have long known that the folding of viral RNA affects the virus's ability to infect cells, make proteins and replicate. However, the complex structures of RNA genomes have been difficult to analyze with available technologies. Less than 20% of the structure of the HIV genome has been previously characterized, mostly at each end of the RNA strand.</p>
<p>To gain a better understanding of the genome structure of HIV-1, the most common type of HIV worldwide, Dr. Kevin M. Weeks and his colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill developed an automated, high-throughput technique called SHAPE. The new method analyzes chemical reactions along the entire RNA strand to distinguish which regions of the genome are mostly non-reactive and stable, and which are highly reactive. Stable regions correspond to structured stems and other defined shapes. Highly reactive regions indicate flexible, unstructured areas of the genome. Computer analysis then translates these variations into a model of the RNA strand's folded, or "secondary," structure.</p>
<p>Working with scientists at NIH's National Cancer Institute (NCI), Weeks and his team used the SHAPE method to analyze the secondary structure of the entire HIV-1 genome. Primary funding for the study came from NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).</p>
<p>The team reported in the August 6, 2009, issue of <em>Nature</em> that the SHAPE method detected more than a dozen previously unrecognized structured and unstructured regions of the HIV-genome. The technique also successfully identified the few already-known structured areas at the ends of the HIV-genome, which regulate viral replication and packaging of viral particles.</p>
<p>The researchers showed that many newly discovered structured RNA regions were associated with regulatory regions of the genome. In addition, they found a correlation between highly structured segments of the genome and looped regions in the viral proteins that are coded by those segments. This finding suggests that the virus's RNA structure affects the way viral proteins are folded during formation inside host cells.</p>
<p>The scientists say these new discoveries can serve as starting points for additional investigations into the genomes of RNA viruses. "There is so much structure in the HIV RNA genome that it almost certainly plays a previously unappreciated role in the expression of the genetic code," Weeks says.<br />
<br />
—by Vicki Contie</p>
</div><h2 class="label-above">Related Links</h2><ul class="spaced print-urls"><li><a href="http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/HIVAIDS/" target="_top">HIV</a></li></ul>
</div>
<div class="lastupdated">
</div> </div>
<aside class="l-region l-region--sidebar-second masonry-container">
<div id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition" id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition">
<h3 class="block__title">In this Edition</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div class="view view-nih-rm-in-this-edition view-id-nih_rm_in_this_edition view-display-id-default view-dom-id-be36c86ae9e2203a83e797717ac461d1">
<div class="view-content">
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/researchers-find-value-exomes">Researchers Find Value in Exomes</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/gene-therapy-shows-promise-eye-condition">Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Eye Condition</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/scientists-uncover-structure-hiv-genome" class="active">Scientists Uncover Structure of HIV Genome</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div> </div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search" id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search">
<h3 class="block__title">Search NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---search" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form id="directorsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search/docs" method="get" class="search-form">
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="678" />
<label for="query2" class="hide">Search NIH Research Matters' stories</label>
<input autocomplete="off" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us" id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us">
<h3 class="block__title">Connect with Us</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---contact-us" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a class="button-link" href="https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIH/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIH_48" onclick="window.open(this.href,'popup','width=725,height=500,left=25,top=25,location=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes');return false;">Subscribe to get NIH Research Matters by email</a></p>
<ul class="icon-list">
<li><a class="icon-link rss-monochrome" href="/nih-research-matters/feed.xml"><span class="icon"></span>RSS feed</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/ResearchMatters"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link email-monochrome" href="mailto:nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Email us</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mailing Address:</strong><br />
NIH Research Matters<br />
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B52, MSC 2094<br />
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094</p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori" id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori">
<h3 class="block__title">Popular Stories</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---popular-stori" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging">Research in Context: Can we slow aging?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy">Brain changes observed during pregnancy</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-detecting-cancer">Research in Context: Detecting cancer</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states">Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States </a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/complete-wiring-map-adult-fruit-fly-brain">Complete wiring map of an adult fruit fly brain</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about" id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about">
<h3 class="block__title">About NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---about" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><strong>Editor:</strong> Harrison Wein, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong>Assistant Editors:</strong> Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong><em>NIH Research Matters </em></strong>is a weekly update of NIH research highlights reviewed by NIHs experts. It's published by the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison">Office of Communications and Public Liaison</a> in the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a>.</p>
<p>ISSN 2375-9593</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</aside>
</div>
<div class="l-connect-wrapper">
<div class="l-connect">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Connect with Us</h2>
<ul>
<li><a class="contactus-monochrome" href="/about-nih/contact-us"><span class="icon"></span>Contact Us</a></li>
<li><a class="twitter-monochrome" href="https://twitter.com/NIH"><span class="icon"></span>X</a></li>
<li><a class="facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="instagram-monochrome" href="https://www.instagram.com/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Instagram</a></li>
<li><a class="youtube-monochrome" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nihod"><span class="icon"></span>YouTube</a></li>
<li><a class="flickr-monochrome" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Flickr</a></li>
<li><a class="social-monochrome" href="/news-events/social-media-outreach"><span class="icon"></span>More Social Media from NIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-footer-wrapper">
<footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Footer</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/">NIH Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
<li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
<li><a href="/nih-website-archives">NIH Website Archives</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="/nondiscrimination-notice">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/freedom-information-act-office">Freedom of Information Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edi.nih.gov/no-fear-act">No Fear Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov">Office of Inspector General</a></li>
<li><a class="lastTab" href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
</ul>
<p>NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></p>
<p>National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892</p>
<p><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
</footer>
</div>
<div class="back-to-top"><a href="#"><span class="icon-arrow-up"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_E9yUYWK8EMydR0HMIp2PahVxPAClXyH0Cnh782A15UM.js"></script>
</body>
</html>