HIV Life Cycle

The life cycle of the HIV virus is a multi-step process. This animation describes the structure of the HIV virus, receptor-mediated attachment to CD4 lymphocytes, viral envelope fusion with the CD4 cell membrane, uncoating and release of viral RNA into the target cell cytoplasm, reverse transcription leading to the formation of viral DNA, viral DNA genomic integration, transcription of viral mRNA, and translation of viral proteins leading to the assembly of new viruses.

This animation is narrated by Dr. Mark Wainberg, who was Professor of Medicine and Microbiology at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, a leading Canadian AIDS researcher and activist.

To learn more visit http://www.AnimatedHIVScience.com