Baxter receives NIH F31 grant for human retrovirus assembly research

Gloria Baxter, fourth-year PhD candidate in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and Genetics Graduate Program, received an NIH F31 grant for her human retrovirus assembly work.

Baxter, who is a doctoral candidate in the lab of Louis Mansky, PhD, professor and director of the Institute for Molecular Virology, received the $145,863 grant titled “Human retrovirus assembly interplay with the actin cortex.”

“The research proposed in my funded NIH fellowship proposed studies that will investigate virus-host interactions between HIV and host cells, as well as comparative studies looking at human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), which is a cancer-causing cousin of HIV,” Baxter explained. “The research will specifically be investigating the role of a cell component called the actin cortex, and how it can influence virus particle assembly and release from infected cells.”

Through this research, Baxter hopes to gain a better understanding of the virus-host cell interactions and what happens when infected cells release infectious viral particles—and eventually, to help identify ways to block that release.

“Both HIV and HTLV are known to be orally transmitted, and the knowledge gained from my research will help inform the understanding of fundamental aspects of infectious virus particle transmission that can be exploited to develop therapeutic approaches to block oral transmission of these human viruses,” she explained.

Baxter was “elated to succeed in being awarded a fellowship from a national competition.” In a time where biomedical research funding has decreased, she finds particular meaning in the ability to carry out this work. “I am particularly grateful and fortunate to have succeeded in being awarded this fellowship,” she said.

As she begins the work of this grant, Baxter is excited to explore new research techniques, work with colleagues and publish and present her eventual findings.

Most of all, this grant funding reminds her of her gratitude for her community at the school.

“I am grateful to my research group and mentor for providing a supportive and inspiring training environment in which to pursue my PhD research,” she said.