HIV Reservoirs Revealed by Rapid Autopsy and Bug Bowl: Insect Acoustics and Public Science Outreach

Short Summary

In this episode, Science Magazine examines two complementary facets of science: the ongoing quest to locate and understand HIV reservoirs in the body using Last Gift rapid autopsies, and Purdue University’s Bug Bowl, which blends entomology with public outreach and artistic exploration of insect sounds. The HIV segment discusses how latent proviruses persist in diverse tissues despite antiretroviral therapy, how rapid autopsy within six hours of death preserves crucial RNA data, and how researchers seek markers that could guide future cures. The Bug Bowl segment showcases cricket-inspired music, soundscapes, and interactive insect displays designed to reduce fear and increase appreciation for bugs, while exploring how acoustic monitoring can inform biodiversity in agricultural settings.

HIV Reservoirs and Rapid Autopsies

The episode reports on the Last Gift program at UC San Diego, where volunteers donate their bodies after death to help scientists map HIV reservoirs across the body. Participants receive baseline data while alive, including details about antiretroviral therapy and health histories, and then undergo rapid autopsy within about six hours of death to preserve RNA and examine which tissues harbor proviral DNA. Researchers assess whether detected proviruses are replication-competent or defective, since most integrated proviruses are defective, yet can still contribute to inflammation. The work aims to identify reliable markers on cells that harbor provirus, enabling targeted therapies that could eventually remove these reservoirs and reduce chronic inflammation linked to aging and disease in people living with HIV. "The real goal here is to figure out ways to get rid of that provirus." - John Cohen

From Tissue Reservoirs to Cure Strategies

Findings show reservoirs in multiple organs and evidence that infected cells can clone themselves and relocate between tissues, creating a complex map of persistence. By sequencing proviruses, researchers can determine whether clones are moving and whether particular reservoirs pose greater risks. They also discuss markers tied to innate immune sensing of viral presence, which could guide interventions to selectively destroy reservoir-harboring cells. "they can distinguish whether that provirus is capable of making new HIVs or has a defective mutation" - John Cohen

Bug Bowl: Insects, Music, and Science Outreach

The Bug Bowl at Purdue University brings insects into the public eye through interactive exhibits, honey tastings, pollinator rooms, and insect-focused art and music. Christine Elliott describes turning cricket calls into live music with string players, using recordings of Carolina Ground and Springfield crickets to create an educational concert experience that emphasizes the connections between biology and culture. The event goal is to reduce negative associations with insects and to show their ecological importance. "soundscapes really do that" - Christine Elliott

Acoustic Ecology and Field Monitoring

Beyond outreach, Elliott discusses research using acoustic monitoring to study insect biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, ranging from conventional to regenerative farming. This approach promises faster, non-lethal monitoring and potential AI-assisted identification to complement traditional pitfall traps. The dialogue highlights the potential of citizen science and audience engagement to broaden appreciation for insects and spur new tools for conservation and sustainable farming. "there are markers on cells that harbor the provirus" - Christine Elliott