PHOTO GALLERY: MU researcher Stefan Sarafianos finds new HIV mutation

November 8, 2012 | 5:46 p.m. CST

Stefan Sarafianos is a professor and researcher at MU who has specialized in HIV, among other diseases. Together with a team at his MU lab, he recently discovered a mutation of the virus less resistant to treatment by certain drugs.

Stefan Sarafianos, MU professor and researcher, discusses a diagram of a protein for an upcoming grant application related to SARS research with Kamal Singh on Oct. 16. Sarafianos and his team recently discovered a mutation of HIV that is less resistant to certain drugs. | Benjamin Hoste

A 3-D diagram of a protein molecule is reviewed by Stefan Sarafianos and Kamal Singh on Oct. 16. A key aspect of the research Sarafianos’ lab carries out is building interactive 3-D computer models to further understand the viruses they study and guide the direction of their research. | Benjamin Hoste

Lefteris Michailidis uses a pipette to mix enzyme samples that have reacted with a new drug being tested to see the effectiveness of the drug in binding with the enzyme Oct. 16.
| Benjamin Hoste

Lefteris Michailidis uses a pipette to insert enzyme samples that have reacted with a new drug into a thin layer of gel Oct. 16. The gel will allow for the results of a test of the drug's effectiveness to be reviewed. | Benjamin Hoste

Vials filled with enzyme samples are mixed with various amounts of a new drug in development to test its effectiveness. Each sequential row of vials represents an increase in drug concentration, and each column represents an increase in reaction time, allowing for 60 different test scenarios to be run at once. | Benjamin Hoste