Description :  This project explores the possibility of intentional evolution of variants of site-specific recombinase Flp to recognize particular DNA sequences in LTRs of HIV-1. These tailor-made recombinases, if delivered into or expressed in the infected cells, would delete the HIV provirus from the host genome, which in turn should prevent replication of HIV and thus may contribute to the cure of the patients with AIDS. This research relies on the researchers’ experience in changing the target DNA specificity of recombinase Flp and includes molecular evolution approaches: site-directed and random mutagenesis, and DNA shuffling. During the evolution process the variants of Flp recombinase are tested for deletion of a reporter gene flanked by chosen DNA sequences from LTRs. The success of this project will increase our competitiveness in obtaining federal grants and set a basis for a broad research direction in advanced genome engineering. The research on enzyme engineering for the purpose of biomedical research will contribute to the fulfillment of the educational goals and continuing development of the infrastructure for biomedical research and development set by Louisiana: Vision 2020.

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Principal Investigator:  Voziyanov, Yuri  --  Biological Sciences

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Collaborators:  

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Funding Agencies:  NSF through the Board of Regents

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Amount Awarded:  $12,000

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Start Period:  02/01/2005

End Period:  01/31/2006