Our laboratory studies the mechanisms by which HIV-1 evades the immune system, particularly the key role played by the envelope glycoprotein (Env). At the surface of HIV-1-infected cells, Env mainly adopts a “closed” conformation that is not recognized by the majority of the antibodies, thereby rendering these cells “invisible” to the humoral response. 

My research focuses on studying the different viral factors involved in maintaining Env in this “closed” conformation, as well as on developing therapeutic strategies capable of inducing a conformational change in Env to allow its recognition by antibodies, with the aim to promote the elimination of HIV-1-infected cells through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.