Brian Herman Email: bdh9@pitt.edu Lab: Slius-Cremer Lab HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is a complex enzyme that possesses DNA polymerase and RNase H activities which are both essential for the reverse transcription of the HIV-1 genome. Both activities of RT thus represent potential targets for antiretroviral therapeutics; however, only polymerase directed therapeutics currently exist. The Parniak laboratory has recently shown that certain acyl hydrazones are potent inhibitors of RT RNase H and RT DNA polymerase activities. The goal of my work is to characterize the molecular mechanisms of action of acyl hydrazone RT inhibitors in order to aid the development of RNase H targeted antiretrovirals. A combination of biochemical, cell culture, and structural methods are being used.