CROI 2026: Basic Science Highlights From the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections.

The 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Denver, Colorado, showcased major advances in our understanding of HIV replication, viral persistence, host-virus interactions, and innate immune sensing. Basic science presentations emphasized the remarkable complexity of the HIV replication cycle and highlighted how structural virology, systems biology, and genome-wide screening approaches are transforming the field. A consistent highlight of the conference is the Scott M. Hammer workshop for new investigators and trainees in which scientific experts help orient trainees to thematic areas being covered in the conference. This underscores the conference's dedication to the mentoring and training of early career investigators new to the field of HIV/AIDS research.