Raghavendar Thipparthi

Raghavendar Thipparthi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at Wayne State University School of Medicine. He obtained his PhD from the University of Hyderabad, India, and has held academic positions since joining the faculty in 2000. His research focuses on post-transcriptional regulation of HIV-1 gene expression, particularly the roles of Rev protein and cellular cofactors like Sam68 and Hsp22.

• Education: PhD in Biochemistry from University of Hyderabad, India
• Program Leadership: Director of IM PhD/MS Program
• Teaching: Courses include Fundamentals of Research and Molecular Biology of Viruses

Dr. Thipparthi's work investigates how HIV-1 differentially controls viral protein expression through RNA splicing and nuclear export mechanisms. Key findings include Sam68's functional substitution for Rev, Hsp22's role in modulating Sam68 activity, and Rev's mislocalization in astrocytes contributing to HIV latency. His publications span topics in retroviral replication, protein-RNA interactions, and heat shock protein functions.

His laboratory employs molecular biology techniques to study Rev's interaction with cellular components, Sam68's phosphorylation status, and Hsp22's regulatory effects on HIV production. Current projects examine viral latency in astrocytes and potential therapeutic interventions targeting these mechanisms.