Iva Pichová

Research in this laboratory focuses on the role of proteins involved in different steps of the life cycle of retroviruses and on the molecular pathogenesis of yeast species of the yeast genus Candida. Retroviruses: Our long-term goal is to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of retroviral integration, assembly, and maturation, and to develop therapeutic approaches for inhibiting these processes. HIV, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) and Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) are employed as models for these studies. We use molecular genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches to define functions of viral proteins and to identify cellular components involved in these processes. Candida yeasts: Our laboratory is interested in understanding the role of secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis in a variety of cellular processes ranging from metabolism to host-pathogen interactions. We intend to identify and characterize factors influencing the sap gene regulation, intracellular trafficking, protein structure, and enzymologic properties of Saps by using molecular, microbial, and biochemical methods. The Group is a part of the following centers and networks (for details, see Support) Gilead Sciences & IOCB Research Centre Centre for New Antivirals and Antineoplastics Centre of molecular biology and physiology of ESF project EUROCORE.