The main research interests of the program are in the role of cells of macrophage lineage and specific T cell subsets in HIV pathogenesis. The research encompasses HIV related dementia, studies into how HIV disrupts macrophage function, the development of drug-related toxicities, the neuropathogenesis of HIV infection, which cells are responsible for the development of viral reservoirs, how the immune system recovers in persons with HIV infection treated with antiretroviral therapy, and the pathogenesis of hepatitis B infection. Specific assays have been developed within the program including tests to measure why some strains of HIV cause more damage to the immune system, assays to examine the transendothelial migration of monocytes, assays to study the effects of drug toxicity in tissues, and the phenotype of HIV in infected individuals. The translational research includes studies of low cost viral load and CD4 tests for monitoring HIV in resource-constrained countries, and the molecular epidemiology of both HIV and TB in the region. In addition the Program investigates the prevalence of HIV-related neurological diseases within Asia Pacific region (through the Asia Pacific NeuroAIDS Consortium) and provides training programs on clinical management of HIV and the use of antiretroviral drugs for doctors throughout India.

Research Objectives

• What is the role of cells of macrophage lineage in HIV pathogenesisω
• Which immune cells contribute to Hepatitis B pathogenesisω
• How does HIV-related drug toxicity occurω
• How do astrocytes contribute to HIV-related dementiaω
• How do specific HIV proteins contribute to HIV pathogenesisω
• To develop a novel low cost point-of-care test for monitoring CD4 counts in resource- constrained countries
• To examine the molecular epidemiology of HIV within the Asia Pacific region
• To investigate dried blood spot technology for low cost viral load testing
• To study the prevalence of neurological disorders in HIV infected persons in the Asia Pacific region.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Research

Program Head -
Professor Suzanne Crowe

The Pathogenesis and Clinical Research Program consists of seven laboratories which focus on HIV and hepatitis B pathogenesis basic research as well as one laboratory with a focus on clinical and translational research.