|
Associated
Investigator: |
Dr.
Roger Paredes |
| PhD
Students: |
Nuria
Izquierdo
Gerard Minuesa
MĒ José Buzón
Judith Dalmau |
| Researchers:
|
Itziar
Erkizia
Dr. MĒ Carmen Puertas |
Our
research programs are focused
on (i) exploring the best antiretroviral
treatment strategies, and fighting
HIV drug resistance, (ii) understanding
HIV-associated pathogenesis, and
(iii) collaborating on global
HIV/AIDS vaccine development projects.
The
antiretroviral treatment program
investigates the clinical and
virological efficacy of different
therapeutic strategies. Our main
goals are the long-term suppression
of viral replication, the improvement
of immunity, the reduction of
adverse events and the achievement
of good treatment adherence. Specific
interest is dedicated to the study
of antiretroviral resistant viruses,
with the incorporation of several
techniques directed to the evaluation
of genotypic and phenotypic resistance,
as well as to analyze their pathogenesis,
replication capacity (viral fitness),
and the effect of minority populations
in clinical outcome. More basic
research also includes the molecular
and functional characterization
of cell membrane proteins involved
in the uptake of antiretroviral
drugs.
The
HIV pathogenesis program comprises
(i) the ability of antigen-presentation
dendritic cells to bind, capture
and transmit HIV to CD4 T cells
during acute and chronic HIV-infection,
(ii) the influence of host genomics
in HIV transmission and disease
progression by using genome-wide
analysis, and (iii) the causes
and consequences of severe clinical
presentations during primary HIV
infection, including detailed
analysis of infecting viruses
and their infected hosts. Within
the HIV pathogenesis context and
with the support of the HIVACAT
(HIV Vaccine development program
in Catalonia), the group also
collaborates on global HIV/AIDS
vaccine development initiatives.
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