“Our efforts to improve a model of the HIV-1 virus structure led us to the development of software to validate hypothetical versions of the HIV-1 matrix shell. In this manuscript we reconstruct a full model of the HIV-1 envelop protein and predict its interaction with a previously published matrix shell structure. The evidence generated suggests a role of the HIV-1 matrix shell in viral entry.”

“We propose a time-based analogy between the thermodynamic behavior of a three-level energy system and the progression of HIV infection described by the evolution of the cell population.”

“The structure of the HIV matrix shell has not been fully elucidated. In this article, I highlight contributions that led to a model composed of adjacent hexagons forming a sphere and mentioned studies that were subsequently impacted. A cross-disciplinary group of students in my lab tested this hypothesis and conclusively demonstrated that this model was incorrect. I provide a summary of our results with emphasis placed on contributions made by students.”