The research in my lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms by which Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and its close relative Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) circumvent the barriers of the innate immunity in their respective hosts, and cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). We are particularly interested in the mechanisms by which HIV and SIV overcome restriction by Tetherin/BST2 and BCA2.