Jamil S. Saad, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology Areas of focus: HIV-Host Interactions, NMR, Protein-Protein and Protein-Lipid Interactions  Publications Visit Jamil's Lab

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

     Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of AIDS, is blamed for over 20 million deaths and is poised to claim 2-3 million lives a year in the absence of efficient therapeutic intervention. HIV-1 encodes a polypeptide called Gag that is capable of forming virus-like particles (VLP) in vitro in the absence of other cellular or viral constituents. During the late phase of infection, HIV-1 Gag polyproteins are transported to the plasma membrane for assembly through an unknown mechanism(s).

We are interested in the underlying structural basis by which retroviral Gag polyproteins interact with cellular constituents during the virus replication cycle. A major component of my research is directed towards understanding key protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions that are critical for retroviral assembly. We employ a set of biochemical, biophysical and structural biology tools to identify the molecular mechanisms governing HIV-1 Gag intracellular trafficking and subsequent assembly on the plasma membrane.     Our studies will offer a better understanding of how HIV-1 Gag protein interact with the host cell to facilitate trafficking and assembly, which may aid in the development of new drugs for the treatment of HIV.

BIOGRAPHY

     Dr Jamil Saad (b. 1973), obtained his B.S degree in Chemistry at Birzeit University in Palestine (1996), M.S degree in Bioinorganic Chemistry at Bergen University in Norway (1998; advisor: Dr. Einar Sletten), and a Ph.D degree in Bioinorganic Chemistry at Emory University in Atlanta (2002; advisor: Dr. Luigi Marzilli). His M.S. and Ph.D studies focused on studying the interactions of cisplatin, a leading anticancer drug, with DNA by using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and other biophysical methods. Dr. Saad's postdoctoral work in Dr. Michael Summers' lab (HHMI, UMBC) focused on the mechanism by which retroviruses are directed to specific cellular membranes for assembly. Dr. Saad joined the UAB faculty in 2007. His outside interests include jogging and soccer.