The genetics of susceptibility to virus infection is easily studied with naturally-occurring pathogens in inbred and genetically-manipulated mice. We use MMTV and MLV, two endemic retroviruses that have infected mice for millions of years, to study the interplay between host and virus. These viruses also serve as models for the human milk-borne retroviruses HIV-1 and HTLV1. My talk will focus on recent findings by my lab that link the anti-retroviral restriction factor APOBEC3 with host cellular sensors that recognize viral nucleic acids, and how these function in concert to control in vivo viral infection.

Susan R. Ross, PhD

University of Illinois at Chicago

Host: Dr. Laimonis Laimins