Michael A . Belshan, PhD

Professor

Medical Microbiology and Immunology

M Belshan

Contact

MichaelBelshan@creighton.edu
School of Medicine
Med Microbiology & Immunology
Medical Microbiology and Immunology (Doctorate)
Medical Microbiology and Immunology (Master of Science)
Graduate School
CRISS II 514C

Michael A . Belshan, PhD

Professor

Medical Microbiology and Immunology

My fundamental research interest is virus-host cell interactions, specifically related to the replication and pathogenesis of the lentivirus subfamily of retroviruses. Members of this subfamily include the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV, respectively). I have a broad background in molecular virology and extensive experience studying retroviruses including an established record of productive research projects in retroviral studies, including molecular virology, proteomic studies, and in vitro drug testing. I also have experience in molecular virology, including retroviral and lentiviral gene delivery systems as well as RNAi and CRISPR.

Examples of the most recent publications can be found at this PubMed link.

Research Focus

HIV Molecular Virology and Host Cell Interactions
My fundamental research interest is virus-host cell interactions. The majority of my work is related to the replication and pathogenesis of the lentivirus subfamily of retroviruses, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). However, I have a broad background in virology, molecular biology and OMICs studies. I have worked in the field of virology for over 25 years and have an established record of productive research in the areas of molecular virology, virus-host interactions, viral evolution, proteomic studies, and in vitro drug testing.

HIV is the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infection is incurable, but treatment with a combination of anti-retroviral drugs can reduce virus replication to undetectable levels and forestall disease progression. However drug resistance to the existing pool of anti-retroviral therapies remains a concern. Continued success in the repression of HIV replication in infected individuals will require the development of new inhibitors that are effective against drug-resistant strains of virus. Drugs that target novel areas of virus replication have the greatest probability to be effective against such viruses.

My laboratory seeks to comprehend poorly understood aspects of HIV replication by discovery of novel virus-host interactions using systems biology approaches. The ultimate goal is to identify new targets for anti-viral therapies. All areas of HIV replication can have potential cellular targets, including virus uncoating, preintegration complex (PIC) assembly and transport, viral transcriptional regulation, and virus assembly and release.

Major Areas of Research
  • OMICs studies to identify novel virus-host interactions.
  • Characterization of novel host cell factors that contribute to HIV replication, latency, and pathogenesis.
  • Molecular biology of HIV replication, latency, and pathogenesis
  • In vitro drug testing.
My laboratory is affiliated with the Nebraska Center for Virology a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence formed in the fall of 2000 under the National Institutes of Health Institutional Development Award program. The Center links the virology programs of Creighton University, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and conducts innovative research that addresses fundamental questions about the pathogenesis and replication of diverse viral agents that effect human, animal, and plant health.

Department

Med. Microbiology & Immunology

Position

Professor

Book, Chapter/Section

  • Reference Module in Biomedical Research
    Belshan Michael A., Knoop Floyd C., Poliomyelitis [Book Chapter] 2014
  • Reference Module in Biomedical Research
    Belshan Michael A., Knoop Floyd C., Huggett Kathryn N., Influenza A [Book Chapter] 2014
  • Reference Module in Biomedical Research
    Belshan Michael A., Knoop Floyd C., Rabies [Book Chapter] 2014

Articles

  • Kovarova Martina, Shibata Annemarie, Vincent Heather, Baker Caroline E., Thayer William O., Kraus Guenter, Garcia J. Victor, Lachaud-Durand Sophie, Williams Peter, Destache Christopher J., Long Julie M., Nochi Tomonori, Belshan Michael, Council Olivia D., Date Abhijit A., Correction to 2015

Publications

  • HGG advances
    Plowman Jocelyn N., Matoy Evanjalina J., Draves Samantha B., Uppala Lavanya V., Sefranek Bridget A., Stacey Mark L., Anderson Samuel P., Watson Cynthia J., Belshan Michael A., Blue Elizabeth E., Huff Chad D., Fu Yusi, Stessman Holly A.F., Erratum: Targeted sequencing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA1/2-negative families reveals complex genetic architecture and phenocopies (Human Genetics and Genomics Advances (2024) 5(3), (S2666247724000459), (10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100306))
    6:3 2025
  • HGG advances
    Plowman Jocelyn N., Matoy Evanjalina J., Uppala Lavanya V., Draves Samantha B., Watson Cynthia J., Sefranek Bridget A., Stacey Mark L., Anderson Samuel P., Belshan Michael A., Blue Elizabeth E., Huff Chad D., Fu Yusi, Stessman Holly A.F., Targeted sequencing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA1/2-negative families reveals complex genetic architecture and phenocopies Targeted sequencing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA1/2-negative families reveals complex geneti
    6:3, p. 100453 2025
  • HGG advances
    Plowman Jocelyn N, Blue Elizabeth E, Huff Chad D, Fu Yusi, Stessman Holly A F, Uppala Lavanya V, Draves Samantha B, Watson Cynthia J, Sefranek Bridget A, Stacey Mark L, Belshan Michael A, Anderson Samuel P, Matoy Evanjalina J, Targeted sequencing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA1/2-negative families from the Lynch Memorial Biobank reveals complex genetic architecture and phenocopies, p. 100306 - 100306 2024
  • HGG advances
    Matoy Evanjalina J., Plowman Jocelyn N., Watson Cynthia J., Belshan Michael A., Blue Elizabeth E., Huff Chad D., Stessman Holly A.F., In vitro data suggest a role for PMS2 Kozak sequence mutations in Lynch Syndrome risk, p. 100298 - 100298 2024
  • Nature communications
    Deng Silu, Strauss-Soukup Juliane K, Belshan Michael, Chen Xian-Ming, He Wei, Gong Ai-Yu, Li Min, Wang Yang, Xia Zijie, Zhang Xin-Tiang, Huang Pacheco Andrew S, Naqib Ankur, Jenkins Mark, Swanson Patrick C, Drescher Kristen M, Cryptosporidium uses CSpV1 to activate host type I interferon and attenuate antiparasitic defenses
    14:1, p. 1456 - 17 2023
  • Nanomaterials
    Mandal Subhra, Sunagawa Shawnalyn W., Prathipati Pavan Kumar, Belshan Michael, Shibata Annemarie, Destache Christopher J., Targeted Immuno-Antiretroviral to Promote Dual Protection against HIV
    12:11 2022
  • Frontiers in Microbiology
    Siedlik Jacob A., Watson Cynthia J., Raine Morgan A., Cheng Anne V., Goering Richard V., Stessman Holly A.F., Belshan Michael, Epidemiologic and Genomic Analysis of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Epidemic in the Nebraska Region of the United States, March 2020–2021
    13 2022
  • Proteomics
    Macur Katarzyna, Jaquet Spencer, Belshan Michael, Fox Howard S., Zieschang Sarah, Lei Shulei, Morsey Brenda, Ciborowski Pawel, SWATH-MS and MRM
    21:15 2021
  • Virology
    Belshan Michael, Holbrook Alexander, George Joseph W., Durant Hannah E., Callahan Michael, Jaquet Spencer, West John T., Siedlik Jacob, Ciborowski Pawel, Discovery of candidate HIV-1 latency biomarkers using an OMICs approach
    558, p. 86 - 95 2021
  • PloS one
    Tso For Yue, Lidenge Salum J., Poppe Lisa K., Peña Phoebe B., Privatt Sara R., Bennett Sydney J., Ngowi John R., Mwaiselage Julius, Belshan Michael, Siedlik Jacob A., Raine Morgan A., Ochoa Juan B., Garcia-Diaz Julia, Nossaman Bobby, Buckner Lyndsey, Roberts W. Mark, Dean Matthew J., Ochoa Augusto C., West John T., Wood Charles, Presence of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 plasma
    16:3 March 2021
  • Physiological Reports
    Holbrook Alexander K., Peterson Hunter D., Bianchi Samantha A., Macdonald Brad W., Bredahl Eric C., Belshan Michael, Siedlik Jacob A., CD4+ T cell activation and associated susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in vitro increased following acute resistance exercise in human subjects
    7:18 2019
  • Antiviral Research
    Mandal Subhra, Prathipati Pavan Kumar, Belshan Michael, Destache Christopher J., A potential long-acting bictegravir loaded nano-drug delivery system for HIV-1 infection
    167, p. 83 - 88 2019
  • Medicine and science in sports and exercise
    Holbrook Alexander K., Belshan Michael A., Bredahl Eric C., Siedlik Jacob A., The Effect Of Exercise On CD4+ T-cell Activation And Their Susceptibility To HIV-1
    50:5S, p. 224 - 224 2018
  • Medicine and science in sports and exercise
    Peterson Hunter D., Holbrook Alexander K., Ihlenfeldt Allyson, Macdonald Brad W., Bianchi Samantha A., Bredahl Eric C., Belshan Michael A., Siedlik Jacob A., Changes In Functional Activation Of Memory T Cells Following Exercise
    50:5S, p. 4 2018
  • Medicine and science in sports and exercise
    Macdonald Brad W., Bredahl Eric C., Belshan Michael A., Siedlik Jacob A., Peterson Hunter D., Bianchi Samantha A., Holbrook Alexander K., Ihlenfeldt Allyson, CD4+ T Cell Activation Markers Altered Following Resistance Training In Untrained Subjects
    50:5S, p. 5 2018
  • Medicine and science in sports and exercise
    Bianchi Samantha A., Holbrook Alexander K., Ihlenfeldt Allyson, Macdonald Brad W., Peterson Hunter D., Bredahl Eric C., Belshan Michael A., Siedlik Jacob A., Cd28 Expression On Cd4+ T Cells Is Not Affected By Strenuous Exercise In Untrained Individuals
    50:5S, p. 473 - 473 2018
  • Virology
    DeBoer Jason, Wojtkiewicz Melinda S., Haverland Nicole, Li Yan, Harwood Emma, Ciborowski Pawel, Belshan Michael, Leshen Emily, George Joseph W., Proteomic profiling of HIV-infected T-cells by SWATH mass spectrometry
    516, p. 246 - 257 2018
  • Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
    Mandal Subhra, Zhou You, Destache Christopher J., Belshan Michael A., Holec Ashley, An Enhanced Emtricitabine-Loaded Long-Acting Nanoformulation for Prevention Or Treatment of HIV Infection
    61, p. e01475 - 16 2017
  • Virology
    DeBoer Jason, Madson Christian J., Belshan Michael, Cyclophilin B enhances HIV-1 infection
    489, p. 282 - 291 2016
  • Proteomics.Clinical Applications
    Li Yan, Frederick K. M., Haverland N. A., Ciborowski P., Belshan Michael A., Investigation of the HIV-1 matrix interactome during virus replication
    10:2, p. 156 - 163 2016
  • Viruses
    Li Yan, Belshan Michael A., NF45 and NF90 Bind HIV-1 RNA and Modulate HIV Gene Expression
    8:2, p. (17 pages) 2016
  • PLoS Pathogens
    Kovarova M., Nochii T., Belshan Michael A., Shibata Annemarie, Vincent H., Baker C. E., Thayer W. O., Kraus G., Lachaud-Durand S., Williams P., Destache Christopher J., Garcia J. V., Date Abhijit A., Long J. M., Council O. D., Nanoformulations of Rilpivirine for Topical Pericoital and Systemic Coitus-Independent Administration Efficiently Prevent HIV Transmission
    11:8, p. (19 pages) 2015
  • Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology
    Date Abhijit A., Belshan Michael A., La Bruzzo Krista, Bruck Patrick, Shibata Annemarie, Zhou You, Destache Christopher J., McMullen Emily, Thermosensitive Gel Containing Cellulose Acetate Phthalate-Efavirenz Combination Nanoparticles for Prevention of HIV-1 Infection
    11:3, p. 416 - 427 2015
  • Virology
    DeBoer Jason, Jagadish Teena, Haverland Nicole A., Madson Christian J., Ciborowski Pawel, Belshan Michael A., Alterations in the nuclear proteome of HIV-1 infected T-cells
    468-470, p. 409 - 420 2014
  • Virology
    Sanford Bridget Lanelle, Li Yan, Maly Connor J., Madson Christian J., Chen Han, Zhou You, Belshan Michael A., Deletions in the fifth alpha helix of HIV-1 matrix block virus release
    468–470, p. 293 - 302 2014
  • AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
    Shibata Annemarie, Belshan Michael A., Erratum: Polymeric Nanoparticles Containing Combination Antiretroviral Drugs for HIV Type 1 Treatment (AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (2013) 29:5 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2012.0301))
    29:7, p. 1095 2013
  • Retrovirology
    Gérard Annabelle, Soler Nicolas, Ségéral Emmanuel, Belshan Michael, Emiliani Stéphane, Identification of low molecular weight nuclear complexes containing integrase during the early stages of HIV-1 infection
    10:1 2013
  • Journal of Proteome Research
    Schweitzer Cameron J., Jagadish Teena, Haverland Nicole, Ciborowski Pawel, Belshan Michael A., Proteomic Analysis of Early HIV-1 Nucleoprotein Complexes
    12:2, p. 559 - 572 2013
  • AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
    Shibata Annemarie, Date Abjijit A., Destache Christopher J., McMullen Emily, Pham Alex, Belshan Michael, Sanford Bridget, Zhou You, Goede Michael, Polymeric nanoparticles containing combination antiretroviral drugs for HIV type 1 treatment
    29:5, p. 746 - 754 2013
  • Journal of Virology & Antiviral Research
    Belshan Michael, HIV Research Beyond the “omics” Era
    1:1 2012
  • PLoS One
    Schweitzer Cameron J., Matthews John M., Madson Christian J., Donnellan M. R., Cerny R. L., Belshan Michael A., Knockdown of the Cellular Protein LRPPRC Attenuates HIV-1 Infection
    7:7, p. e40537 2012
  • Retrovirology
    Belshan Michael A., Kimata Jason T., Brown Charles, Cheng Xiaogang, McCulley Anna, Larsen Alison, Thippeshappa Rajesh, Hodara Vida, Giavedoni Luis, Hirsch Vanessa, Ratner Lee, Vpx is Critical for SIVmne infection of pigtail macaques
    9, p. 32 - 32 2012
  • Antiviral Research
    Date Abhijit A., Shibata Annemarie, Goede Michael, Sanford Bridget Lanelle, Bruzzo Krista L., Belshan Michael A., Destache Christopher J., Development and evaluation of a thermosensitive vaginal gel containing raltegravir + efavirenz loaded nanoparticles for HIV prophylaxis
    96:3, p. 430 - 436 2012
  • Journal of Virological Methods
    Belshan Michael A., Matthews John M., Madson Christian J., Replication of biotinylated human immunodeficiency viruses
    171:1, p. 299 - 302 2011
  • Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
    Destache Christopher J., Goede M., Shibata Annemarie, Belshan Michael A., Belgum T., Antiretroviral release from poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles in mice
    65:10, p. 2183 - 2187 2010
  • Journal of Virological Methods
    Belshan Michael A., Schweitzer Cameron J., Donnellan Meghan R., Lu Richard, Engelman Alan, In vivo biotinylation and capture of HIV-1 matrix and integrase proteins
    159:2, p. 178 - 184 2009
  • Journal of Virology
    Cheng Xiaogang, Belshan Michael, Ratner Lee, Hsp40 facilitates nuclear import of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 Vpx-mediated preintegration complex
    82:3, p. 1229 - 1237 2008
  • Virology
    Mahnke Lisa A., Belshan Michael, Ratner Lee, Analysis of HIV-2 Vpx by modeling and insertional mutagenesis
    348:1, p. 165 - 174 2006
  • Journal of Virology
    Lee Jae Hyung, Murphy Scan C., Belshan Michael, Sparks Wendy O., Wannemuehler Yvonne, Liu Sijun, Hope Thomas J., Dobbs Drena, Carpenter Susan, Characterization of functional domains of equine infectious anemia virus Rev suggests a bipartite RNA-binding domain
    80:8, p. 3844 - 3852 2006
  • Virology
    Belshan Michael, Mahnke Lisa A., Ratner Lee, Conserved amino acids of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 Vpx nuclear localization signal are critical for nuclear targeting of the viral preintegration complex in non-dividing cells
    346:1, p. 118 - 126 2006
  • Journal of Virology
    Baccam Prasith, Carpenter Susan, Thompson Robert J., Li Yuxing, Sparks Wendy O., Belshan Michael, Dorman Karin S., Wannemuehler Yvonne, Oaks J. Lindsay, Cornette James L., Subpopulations of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Rev Coexist In Vivo and Differ in Phenotype
    77:22, p. 12122 - 12131 2003
  • Virology
    Belshan Michael, Ratner Lee, Identification of the nuclear localization signal of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 Vpx
    311:1, p. 7 - 15 2003
  • Virology
    Belshan Michael, Baccam Prasith, Oaks J. Lindsay, Sponseller Brett A., Murphy Sean C., Cornette James, Carpenter Susan, Genetic and biological variation in equine infectious anemia virus Rev correlates with variable stages of clinical disease in an experimentally infected pony
    279:1, p. 185 - 200 2001
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
    Belshan Michael, Park Gregory S., Bilodeau Patricia, Stoltzfus C. Martin, Carpenter Susan, Binding of equine infectious anemia virus Rev to an exon splicing enhancer mediates alternative splicing and nuclear export of viral mRNAs
    20:10, p. 3550 - 3557 2000
  • Journal of Virology
    Belshan Michael, Harris Matthew E., Shoemaker Anne E., Hope Thomas J., Carpenter Susan, Biological characterization of Rev variation in equine infectious anemia virus
    72:5, p. 4421 - 4426 1998

Presentations

  • HIV: Quest for a cure 2018
  • CypB stimulates HIV infection 2015
  • TM261: A Viral Study Led Astray 2015
  • Proteomic Approaches to Study HIV-Host Interactions 2014
  • SWATH-MS Analysis of HIV-1 Infected Jurkat T-cells 2014
  • Inbre Student Jessica Haight in Grand Island, NE 2006

Awards

  • Young Investigator Award
    Creighton University School of Medicine
  • Research Excellence Award
    Iowa State University Graduate College

Consulting

  • Infectious Disease Scientific Director
    Advisory
    Nebraska Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE Program)
    2021 - 2025