The integration of retroviral DNA into host chromosomal DNA is a landmark event that demarcates the transition from the early steps of virus replication to post-integration gene expression and the assembly of new virus particles. Becoming a permanent part of the host cell’s genome, transcriptionally latent proviruses are impervious to highly active antiretroviral therapy and present the greatest barrier to a cure for HIV. Integrase, the viral enzyme that mediates integration, has risen in prominence to a high-value antiretroviral target over the past two decades, with strand transfer inhibitors now widely prescribed for people living with HIV. Allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs), which potently inhibit virus particle morphogenesis, are being evaluated in phase II clinical trials and are also investigated for “block-and-lock” cure strategies. Papers addressing these subjects and other integration-related research topics were presented and discussed at the 7th International Conference on Retroviral Integration, which was held in Boulder, Colorado during the summer of 2023. In this Editors’ overview, we discuss the papers since published in this dedicated Viruses Special Issue, and briefly touch upon other talks of significant interest.
Retrointegration2023 marked the seventh time that the retroviral community had convened at an international conference dedicated to the science of integrase and viral DNA integration. We five served as the meeting co-organizers, with Dr. Kvaratskhelia serving as the local lead organizer. The conference consisted of seven oral sessions and one poster session, with 36 talks given by invited speakers and 11 short talks selected from submitted abstracts (Table 1). Four papers were published as part of the Viruses Special Issue [1,2,3,4]. One of these manuscripts, which expanded upon Dr. Grandgenett’s outro presentation at the end of the conference (Table 1), gave an overview of the field of retroviral integration as well as details of the preceding six meetings [2]. We recommend this paper to readers interested in the history of the field or these dedicated meetings, as well as in the significant field advances that were accomplished leading up to the 2023 conference.