Education:
Ph.D., Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College
B.S., Biology, Siena College
Research Interests:
Our research focuses on the molecular cell biology that underpins virus-cell interactions. We seek to both elucidate mechanisms that activate intrinsic antiviral defenses as well as to identify cellular cofactors required for viral replication. By understanding this molecular dynamic, we hope to provide the framework for the development of novel therapeutics. Additionally, and importantly, our findings have implications for fields beyond virology including normal cell biology and physiology, cancer, and other microbial diseases.
Students in the Sharifi lab implement many of the same molecular biological techniques they’ve learned during the laboratory components of their biology courses as well as advanced techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, qPCR, fluorescence microscopy, cell and tissue culture, protein imaging, and more.
Recent Publications (* indicates research student mentees):
Sharifi HJ, Paine DN*, Fazzari VA*, Tipple AF*, Patterson E, de Noronha CMC. Sulforaphane Reduces SAMHD1 Phosphorylation To Protect Macrophages from HIV-1 Infection. J Virol. 2022 Dec 14;96(23):e0118722. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01187-22. Epub 2022 Nov 15. PMID: 36377871; PMCID: PMC9749475.
Rabinowitz J, Sharifi HJ, Martin H*, Marchese A, Robek M, Shi B, Mongin AA, de Noronha CMC. xCT/SLC7A11 antiporter function inhibits HIV-1 infection. Virology. 2021 Apr;556:149-160. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.01.008. Epub 2021 Jan 20. PMID: 33631414; PMCID: PMC7925438.
Shi B, Sharifi HJ, DiGrigoli S, Kinnetz M, Mellon K, Hu W, de Noronha CMC. Inhibition of HIV early replication by the p53 and its downstream gene p21. Virol J. 2018 Mar 27;15(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s12985-018-0959-x. PMID: 29587790; PMCID: PMC5870690.
Furuya AK, Sharifi HJ, Jellinger RM, Cristofano P, Shi B, de Noronha CM. Sulforaphane Inhibits HIV Infection of Macrophages through Nrf2. PLoS Pathog. 2016 Apr 19;12(4):e1005581. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005581. PMID: 27093399; PMCID: PMC4836681.
Selected Publications:
Sharifi HJ, Furuya AK, Jellinger RM, Nekorchuk MD, de Noronha CM. Cullin4A and cullin4B are interchangeable for HIV Vpr and Vpx action through the CRL4 ubiquitin ligase complex. J Virol. 2014 Jun;88(12):6944-58. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00241-14. Epub 2014 Apr 9. PMID: 24719410; PMCID: PMC4054339.
Sharifi HJ, Furuya AM, de Noronha CM. The role of HIV-1 Vpr in promoting the infection of nondividing cells and in cell cycle arrest. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2012 Mar;7(2):187-94. doi: 10.1097/COH.0b013e32835049e0. PMID: 22274659; PMCID: PMC3802534.
Nekorchuk MD, Sharifi HJ, Furuya AK, Jellinger R, de Noronha CM. HIV relies on neddylation for ubiquitin ligase-mediated functions. Retrovirology. 2013 Nov 18;10:138. doi: 10.1186/1742-4690-10-138. PMID: 24245672; PMCID: PMC3842660.
Casey Klockow L, Sharifi HJ, Wen X, Flagg M, Furuya AK, Nekorchuk M, de Noronha CM. The HIV-1 protein Vpr targets the endoribonuclease Dicer for proteasomal degradation to boost macrophage infection. Virology. 2013 Sep;444(1-2):191-202. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2013.06.010. Epub 2013 Jul 9. PMID: 23849790; PMCID: PMC3755019.
Wen X, Casey Klockow L, Nekorchuk M, Sharifi HJ, de Noronha CM. The HIV1 protein Vpr acts to enhance constitutive DCAF1-dependent UNG2 turnover. PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e30939. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030939. Epub 2012 Jan 24. PMID: 22292079; PMCID: PMC3265533.
Courses Taught at Le Moyne College:
BIO325 Microbiology (lecture and laboratory)
BSC205 Basic (Nursing-focused) Microbiology (lecture and laboratory)
BIO218 Cell & Molecular Biology (laboratory)
Other Teaching Experience / Interests:
Cell Biology
Medical Mycology and Parasitology
Microbial Genetics
Research Design
Immunology
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