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INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY FACULTY
| W. Edward Robinson, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Fields of Study: |
| Dr. Robinson is a W. Edward Robinson, Jr.
Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology & Molecular Genetics. |
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| Research Interests: |
| The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is of worldwide importance. The research in Dr. Robinson's laboratory has concentrated on anti-HIV drug development and the roles various HIV proteins play in the retroviral life cycle. Working with organic chemists, Dr. Robinson's researchers are developing new anti-HIV compounds that target a specific viral protein called integrase. Integrase is absolutely required for HIV replication and has no mammalian homolog. Furthermore, integrase is the third of three viral enzymes and the only enzyme for which there are currently no inhibitors used to treat patients. To date, Dr. Robinson's lab has identified well over 100 compounds that inhibit HIV integrase; some of these rival the most potent small molecule inhibitors of HIV integrase yet described. In addition to drug discovery, we are using these compounds as tools to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in HIV integrase function and retroviral integration. In particular we are studying the effects of inhibitor resistance mutations on HIV replication. Dr. Robinson's lab is also attempting to identify the amino acids that comprise the inhibitor-binding pocket on the integrase protein. Continued synthesis of anti-HIV compounds is ongoing, especially compounds that inhibit primary clinical isolates of HIV and both North American and African isolates. Techniques that are in use in the laboratory include molecular biological techniques, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative real-time PCR, and live HIV replication studies using clinical isolates of HIV and tissue culture adapted HIV strains. Recent collaborative work has been initiated that includes structural biology of integrase and drug discovery against several other HIV proteins, including the "negative factor", Nef, and the "viral infectivity factor", Vif. Studies on the role of antimicrobial peptides in the pathogenesis of HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections are also underway. |
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| Office Address/Phone: |
109E Med Surge 1
(949) 824-3431 |
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| Lab Address/Phone: |
(949) 824-3432 |
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| Email: ewrobins@uci.edu |
| Web Site: http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/com/pathology/faculty/erobinson.html |
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