CROI 2021: Summary of Basic Science Research in HIV and SARS-CoV-2.

Stevenson, Mario

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) serves as one of the most highly visible platforms upon which researchers gather to share the most recent findings on HIV/AIDS and, recently, on SARS-CoV-2 research. Research presentations on the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have become an increasing fixture at the conference since it was first covered at last year's conference. Although CROI 2021 was virtual, the organizers coordinated a seamless platform for presentations and poster sessions that effectively engaged the audience. CROI 2021 had a strong showing in terms of basic science presentations on HIV-1 and on SARS-CoV-2. Highlights included new insights into some of the more elusive steps in the viral replication cycle as well as new findings on immune escape strategies employed by SARS-CoV-2. The new investigator workshop has become a valuable resource that can be used by early stage and established investigators alike to receive state-of-the-art updates on research areas that might be outside their immediate areas of research. The new investigator workshop featured engaging presentations on novel aspects of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 replication, impact of host immunity on HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and approaches to assessing viral reservoir dynamics and strategies for viral reservoir elimination.