Head

Assoicate Professor Paul R. Gorry, BApplSci(Hons), PhD

Collaborators

Dr Melissa Churchill, BSc(Hons), PhD

 

Staff

Dr Laveena Sharma, BSc(Hons), PhD
Mrs Anne Ellett, BSc
Mr Lachlan Gray, BSc(Hons)
Ms Jasminka Sterjovski, BSc(Hons)
Mr  Michael Roche

Students

Mr Lachlan Gray, BSc(Hons)
Ms Jasminka Sterjovski, BSc(Hons)
Mr Daniel Cowley, BApplSci(Hons)

 

Research Overview

Researchers in the HIV Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory use molecular approaches to understand viral determinants underlying HIV disease progression in a clinically relevant setting. These studies help us better understand how HIV replicates in and destroys immune cells which, it is hoped, will shed light on novel ways to halt replication of the virus. We also study host genetic factors and their involvement in HIV pathogenesis. This particular project contributes to our understanding of why some people progress to AIDS faster than others. With this knowledge, we may be able to identify new ways to slow or stop HIV progression in people with HIV.

Another major focus of the laboratory is understanding mechanisms underlying HIV-associated dementia, an important yet not well understood AIDS-related illness. A better understanding of this devastating HIV complication will lead to improved treatments.

We are also developing new laboratory methods to rapidly determine the phenotype of HIV in infected people, and to more accurately quantify HIV entry into cells. These new laboratory tests will help physicians in deciding on the best treatment options for patients, and will assist in the search for, and development of, new anti-HIV drugs and HIV vaccines.

 

Research Objectives

• To study the role of the HIV envelope proteins (Env) in HIV pathogenesis
• To determine the contribution of macrophage tropism of HIV to HIV pathogenesis
• To determine the role of HIV Env and Nef proteins in HIV neurotropism and neurovirulence
• To study the pathogenesis of attenuated HIV strains containing nef mutations in vivo
• To develop and validate improved HIV phenotype assays
• To develop and validate novel rapid, real-time HIV entry assays

 

Research Highlights

• Identification of a genetic determinant in HIV, N358, which appears to be an important pathological determinant of the virus
• Identification that tropism of HIV for macrophages is critical for HIV pathogenesis
• Identification of a preferred co-receptor usage pattern of HIV viruses that persist in brain
• Progress towards a simple and rapid HIV phenotype assay