Monsef Benkirane PhD

Monsef Benkirane is the research director at the CNRS. He directs the molecular virology laboratory within the Institute of Human Genetics (IGH) in Montpellier. He is interested in deciphering the host/HIV interaction and understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the HIV reservoir. In 2010, initial “ERC Advanced” funding enabled it, in particular, to identify the SAMHD1 gene as an HIV-1 restriction factor in myeloid cells and quiescent CD4 T lymphocytes. His work has shown a direct link between DNA repair proteins and the regulation of the innate immune response. More recently, his group identified CD32 as an HIV-1 reservoir marker. Monsef Benkirane is director of the IGH, a joint CNRS unit with the University of Montpellier.