معرفی
Molly Ohainle is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, within the Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding how host cells defend against viral infections, particularly HIV and related primate lentiviruses, using functional genomics and molecular virology approaches. Key projects include identifying cellular restriction factors, studying HIV capsid interactions, and developing CRISPR-based screening tools to uncover host-virus molecular mechanisms.
Her lab, located in Weill Hall, investigates evolutionary arms races between viruses and their hosts, emphasizing how antiviral proteins evolve to block infections while viruses adapt to evade these defenses. Recent work includes discoveries of TRIM34’s role in HIV restriction and DAXX’s role against SARS-CoV-2. Funding sources include the Rose Hills Innovator program and the Shurl & Kay Curci Foundation.
Current students include Isaiah Grant, Michael Young, Clare Gill, Bridgett Rios, and Michael Singer, focusing on topics like HIV capsid targeting, primate lentivirus evolution, and antiviral immunity. The lab also collaborates widely, with contributions to studies on CRISPR screening techniques and viral pathogenesis.
