Jeffrey DeStefano

Jeffrey DeStefano is a Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Maryland, College Park. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Connecticut (1990). His research focuses on HIV and poliovirus replication mechanisms, aptamer development for antiviral applications, and nucleic acid-based diagnostics. He leads the DeStefano Lab, which explores viral enzyme inhibition, SARS-CoV-2 countermeasures, and XNA aptamer technologies. He teaches General Virology (BSCI437) and Graduate Virology (CBMG688K), and is affiliated with the Molecular & Cellular Biology (MOCB) graduate program.

Research highlights include structural studies of HIV-1 Pol polyprotein, inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 using FANA aptamers, and development of high-fidelity aptamer-based detection assays. His work integrates virology, structural biology, and biotechnology to advance antiviral strategies and diagnostic tools.

Recent projects involve optimizing Xeno-nucleic acid (XNA) aptamers for targeting viral proteins, such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain, and understanding magnesium effects on reverse transcriptase fidelity. Collaborations include studies on HIV integrase binding and viral polyprotein maturation mechanisms.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though his contributions to antiviral research are notable. His lab’s work has implications for pandemic response and chronic viral infections like HIV/AIDS.