Matthew White
Major: Math and Biology
Research Department: Molecular Microbiology
Graduation Date: Spring 2024
Email: MGW190000@utdallas.edu
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Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
123-456-7890
Green Fellows project abstract:
HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus) has been a major global health crisis, taking the lives of over 36 million people since the early 1980s. The discovery of highly suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), a multitude of small compounds targeting several viral factors, has been the tipping point elongating the lifespan of HIV-1 infected individuals. Though ART successfully targets the replicating virus, ART is ineffective towards transcriptionally silent proviruses composing the latent reservoir. Previous studies in our lab have shown that the transcriptional regulator KAP1/TRIM28 activates HIV-1 transcription elongation and latency reactivation. To define how KAP1 activates the virus, we performed a proteomics survey and identified several candidate interactors including the Heterochromatin Protein 1-g (HP1-g). However, the molecular mechanisms still lack clarity in understanding how the interaction between KAP1 and HP1-g is required for proviral activation. Here we report novel findings implicating a functional KAP1-HP1-g axis in viral transcription activation. Specifically, point mutation of residue V488 in the PxVxL domain of KAP1 abolished HP1-g recognition thereby dampening viral transcription activation. To study KAP1- HP1-g interplay, we created a KAP1 point mutant in the PxVxL motif (V488E) using site-directed mutagenesis, we performed co-IP experiments and defined that this mutant abolished HP1 binding in cells. Additionally, using a HIV-1 reporter assay in cells, we found KAP1WT over-expression led to enhanced expression of HIV-1 reporter compared to KAP1V488E.Future Studies will determine how KAP1-HP1-g activates the latent virus and leverage these basic principles for clinical interventions purging the latent reservoir.
​​What does research mean to you?
To me, research means discovering and understanding the mysteries of our world. By understanding what we do not know, we can share our discoveries and assist others in their own research journeys as well.
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Tell us about your journey​!​
My journey has been particularly unique. In fact, I would consider that as an understatement. I wanted to be a pre-med student since my junior year of high school. I took the required pre-med courses my freshman year and didn’t love them. I then took a break from science for a semester and explored English and other subjects like French and Screenwriting. I then found microbiology through a friend of mine and did my own reading in the summer after my freshman year. That summer, I registered for Microbiology, where I discovered a new passion. I knew being a Green Fellow would be an excellent way to explore this passion (and it was). Now, I am hoping to go to Medical School to get an MD/PhD. I still have a lot to figure out in my educational journey, but many questions were answered through the Green Fellows program. I am immensely thankful for that.
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What was your favorite part about the program?
My favorite part was befriending the people in my lab. At first, everyone was pretty quiet and did not talk to me. It took time but I managed to get everyone to open up. My lab became a fun place where I was constantly laughing. I miss my lab and I am very thankful to have them in my life.
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What was the biggest thing you learned from the program?
I have learned to not be afraid to ask questions, that it is okay to fail constantly only if you learn from your mistakes, and that confidence is such an important part of science. Of course, I learned hundreds of other lessons like certain lab techniques, but these stuck out to me the most.
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Advice for Future Green Fellows
It is okay to be scared of many parts of your research experience. It is definitely not easy nor is it a perfect experience. There were some days I had to cry in the bathroom when five weeks of experiments failed. It hurt. I cannot be more serious or honest about that. I was afraid with failed experiments I would not have much research to share at the end. Do not worry about that. Just show up and try your best. No one expects a great project from you. It is okay to present negative data. You just want to show that you learned and tried your best. It is scary but you learn a lot about yourself. Good luck!