Suryaram Gummuluru, PhD

Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Our research is broadly focused on the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in the initiation and propagation of HIV-1 replication. Since dendritic cells are believed to be the first immune competent cells to encounter virus in the genital mucosa, a thorough understanding of the HIV-DC interactions is of paramount importance. DCs can capture virus particles independently of CD4 and co-receptor complexes, and retain them in an infectious state for an extended period of time. These virus-bearing DCs may then facilitate a more efficient spread of virus to replication-permissive CD4+ T cells. Our recent work has identified a novel glycosphingolipid dependent mechanism of virus attachment to DCs. The fate of the virus particle post-attachment in DCs remains unclear. Virion trafficking within the DC bypasses conventional endocytic organelles, i.e., endosomes and lysosomes. Virus localization within this novel vesicular compartment not only has the potential to protect the invading HIV from being degraded, but also creates a latent reservoir of virus, which could present a major challenge for eradication by antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, the mechanism of subsequent return of infectious virus particles to the cell surface and the method of subsequent transmission to T cells remains unclear. Current studies utilizing biochemical and microscopic approaches are underway to monitor HIV-1 trafficking and localization in the DC and its subsequent transfer to T cells.

Publications

  • Published 2/9/2026

    Khambati N, Tamara KL, Nakabugo E, Van Valkenburg A, Anderson JK, Lu S, Song R, Gummuluru S, Pollard AJ, Ellner J, Salgame P, Bijker EM, Nakiyingi L, Connor DO, Johnson WE. Nasal Gene Expression in ART-Naive Adults with HIV and Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Uganda. medRxiv. 2026 Feb 09. PMID: 41542684.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 12/16/2025

    Ouyang T, Kundu K, Hood J, Cheng B, Mei Y, Gray A, Gummuluru S, Reinhard BM. Plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic nanoreactors for selective inactivation of murine leukemia virus (MLV). Nanoscale Adv. 2026 Feb 03; 8(3):885-895. PMID: 41409897.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/12/2025

    Akahata W, Komori M, Morey AL, Quiñones-Molina AA, Hood JB, Fofana J, Romero L, Peters E, Webber JD, Meeks T, Przygonska PA, Steinberg I, Ober E, Kim T, Rogan DC, Matsuda K, Smith JF, Gummuluru S, Connors M, Akiyama H. Incorporation of 5-methylcytidine alleviates RIG-I-mediated innate immune responses to a self-amplifying RNA vaccine. Sci Transl Med. 2025 Nov 12; 17(824):eadz2276. PMID: 41223248.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/12/2025

    Hughes IK, Hood JB, Quiñones-Molina AA, Akiyama H, Gummuluru S. Evasion of CARD8 activation during HIV-1 assembly. Sci Adv. 2025 Nov 14; 11(46):eadz1069. PMID: 41223282.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/6/2025

    Skeete C, Sgambettera G, Gojanovich AD, He X, Bryant D, Yang M, Banerjee S, Quiñones-Molina AA, Akiyama H, Mostoslavsky G, Henderson AJ, Gummuluru S. Mu opioid receptor activation in microglia enhances HIV-1 infection and HIV-infection-induced inflammatory responses. Front Immunol. 2025; 16:1628872. PMID: 41122167.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 75 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Faculty, National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab
    Boston University
  • Member, Genome Science Institute
    Boston University
  • Graduate Medical Sciences Educator and Mentor (Primary Mentor of Graduate Students)
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences

Websites

Education

  • University of Rochester, PhD
  • University of Rochester, MS
  • University Saskatchewan, BSc

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