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HIV-1 Mutation and Recombination
Genetic variation of HIV-1
is the single largest obstacle in developing effective vaccines and
therapies for preventing AIDS. My research focuses on HIV-1
variation and its impact on pathogenesis. I
investigate the molecular mechanisms by which HIV-1 mutates and
recombines its genome. Recently, I developed a novel mutation rate
assay for HIV-1 in cell culture (patent pending) and have used this
assay to study the behavior of reverse transcriptase variants. Ongoing
studies are directed at using the new assay to monitor and make
treatment decisions for HIV-1-infected people and to learn more about
how HIV-1 alters its genome in response to host and therapeutic
influences. |
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HIV-1 Infection of Eosinophils
I developed and
published the only model system for HIV infection of the eosinophil,
a specific type of white blood crucial to the immune response
against parasitic infections, especially helminthes. I was the first
to show that T-tropic but not M-tropic strains of HIV can infect,
kill, and alter the function of these important cells. Ongoing
studies are directed at using primary eosinophils isolated from
uninfected and HIV-infected individuals in order to further
investigate the susceptibility of these cells to HIV infection, to determine how
interaction of HIV alters the
function of eosinophils, and to ascertain the pathogenic effects that
result from infection or interaction with eosinophils. |
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Protection Against Agents of Bioterrorism
In collaboration with the Great Lakes Regional Center of
Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research
and the United States Air Force, our long-range goal is to develop
methods to counteract certain
viruses or bacteria that may be used as weapons. This work will be conducted in
our
Biosafety Level 3 Facility. Our research is expected to contribute basic research, applied
technologies, and facilities that will be needed to counter the threat
of bioterrorism. |
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