Cell Piercing Peptides (IMAGE) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Caption A computer generated image of a cell membrane being "pierced" by HIV peptides. The positively charged HIV peptides (shown in red) are drawn to negatively charged phosphates (shown in yellow) in the cell membrane. When an HIV peptide cannot satisfy itself with the negative charges available on the cell membrane surface it is directly attached to, it reaches through the membrane to grab negatively charged phosphates on the other side, opening a hole in the cell. Credit Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute/Angel Garcia Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.