Dr. Mike Finley Summers
Professor · Tenured
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences
CNMS
He/Him/His/Himself
Research interests
Our laboratory is interested in understanding how retroviruses assemble, mature, and selectively package their RNA genomes, and in developing therapeutic approaches for inhibiting these processes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and biophysical methods are the primary tools employed in our laboratory that allow us to study the structural and dynamical properties of viral constituents and their interactions under native-like solution conditions. Our efforts focus primarily on the viral Gag proteins of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, and nonhuman pathogenic retroviruses, some of which are used as vectors in human gene therapy trials and for the treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).
Education
- Ph D, Bioinorganic Chemistry — Emory University (1984)
- BS, Chemistry — University of West Florida (1980)
Publications
- 5ʹ-Cap Sequestration is an Essential Determinant of HIV-1 Genome Packaging 2021
- NMR data processing, visualization, analysis and structure calculation with NMRFx
- Relaxation optimized heteronuclear experiments for extending the size limit of RNA nuclear magnetic resonance
- Role of RNA structural plasticity in modulating HIV-1 genome packaging and translation
- Matrix-tRNA complex structure reveals basis for host control of Gag localization
Grants and Contracts
- NIAID 2025
- NIAID 2024
- MRI: Acquisition of CAVE2 Display for Discovery Science, Creativity, and Education 2015
- MRI: Acquisition of PI2, a CAVE2-Inspired Display for Discovery Science, Creativity, and Education 2015
Courses Taught
- Special Topics in Chemistry
- Special Topics in Chemistry