Tony Holý Lecture – Hans-Georg Kräusslich

HIV-1 infects target cells by membrane fusion and cytoplasmic entry of the cone-shaped capsid followed by reverse transcription and nuclear import of a subviral replication complex, finally leading to integration of the viral cDNA into host cell genomic DNA. Recent results from multiple labs dramatically changed our view on these processes. It has become clear that the viral cone-shaped capsid with its fullerene geometry is the key orchestrator of the early phase of HIV-1 replication, essential for cytoplasmic trafficking, reverse transcription, nuclear and nucleoplasmic import as well as escape from the innate immune response. I will discuss recent insight into these complex processes also discussing the effect of the recently approved capsid-targeting inhibitor Lenacapavir.