General Contact information:

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Department of Microbiology and Immunology

601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 672

Rochester, NY 14642

Lab: (585) 275-0013

Fax: (585) 473-9573

The Kim Lab research group focuses on understanding 1) roles of retroviral reverse transcriptases (RTs) in the cell-type specificity, evolution, escape, and mutagenesis in lentiviruses and oncoretroviruses and 2) mechanisms of highly error-prone DNA synthesis by lentiviral RTs.  For this research theme, the laboratory employs both biochemical and virological approaches.  Biochemical approaches include enzyme kinetic (steady and pre-steady state) and structural analysis of RTs from various models systems, such as HIV-1 and MuLV.  Virological approaches employ both infectious molecular viral clones and retroviral-based vector systems.  Employing these two different approaches allows us to link molecular mechanisms of DNA synthesis by RTs with virological characteristics of retroviruses.

Recently, we also launched two projects studying HIV-1 accessory proteins, Vpr and Vif.  The Vpr project focuses on elucidating functional roles of Vpr in the unique HIV-1 replication capability for non-dividing cells (e.g. macrophage).  The Vif project is a collaborative project that focuses on functional relationships between HIV-1 Vif and a recently identified host anti-viral enzyme, CEM15 (APOBEC3G) deaminase.

Research - More detailed information on our specific research areas and the systems we use.

Personnel - Meet the lab.  Also, meet Kim Lab alumni.

Publications - A full listing of the research group's publications

Protocols - A listing of some of the protocols we use in the lab

Pictures - Photos from different Kim Lab activities.  Also, click here for a Virtual Tour.

Useful links