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 5/19/2026

    Hughes IK, Kharytonchyk S, Ramaswamy S, Jalloh S, Hood JB, He X, Henderson AJ, Akiyama H, Telesnitsky A, Gummuluru S. Transcription start site heterogeneity controls MDA5 sensing of unspliced HIV-1 RNAs. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026 May 26; 123(21):e2522948123. PMID: 42154552.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/27/2026

    Leal AA, Tafrate S, He X, Bryant DL, Herring MB, Andrade M, McWhirter JB, Quiñones-Molina AA, Gummuluru S, Sagar M, Flynn RL, Leshchiner I, Henderson AJ. Bloom syndrome helicase is required for efficient HIV-1 reverse transcription in macrophages. bioRxiv. 2026 Apr 27. PMID: 42094387.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/7/2026

    Kilroy J, Deokar A, Patalano S, Bass JF, Sagar M, Gummuluru S, Henderson AJ. Intragenic Transcription from Defective HIV Proviruses Triggers Interferon Responses in Myeloid Cells. bioRxiv. 2026 Apr 07. PMID: 41993403.

    Read at: PubMed

  • 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

View All 79 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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