Research Interests
My interests are in the pathogenic processes of HIV-1 infection. My laboratory concentrates on developing model systems which are more relevant to the pathogenic process in man than are standard in vitro culture approaches, with the eventual goal of using these systems to develop therapeutic strategies for AIDS. We are currently concentrating on several major areas of investigation, which include: 1) use of the SCID-hu mouse as an in vivo model for HIV-1-induced pathogenesis, investigating latency mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. Studies currently ongoing involve factors involved in immune reconstitution following pharmacologic therapy and novel therapeutic approaches including gene therapy; 2) development of novel in vitro culture systems which mimic the in vivo situation; 3) molecular analysis of reverse transcription defects in non-dividing lymphocytes; 4) hematopoietic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells, with the intent to utilize these cells to genetically manipulate cells of the immune system. We will continue to develop new model systems and explore existing models to answer important questions regarding the mechanisms associated with HIV disease progression. The members of my laboratory feel that increasing the basic knowledge base regarding pathogenesis will allow a more rational approach to the development of therapeutics to either cure or greatly reduce the morbidity associated with this disease.