Research Labs

Primary Research Focus:

Investigating the role of CNS-infiltrating peripheral immune cells in driving chronic activation of brain-resident glial cells following viral infection

Research Summary:

Dr. Lokensgard's laboratory currently performs studies supporting two independent research programs in neurovirology. The first program investigates host defense mechanisms against cytomegalovirus brain infection. Our experiments investigate how glial cell-produced chemokines recruit peripheral lymphocytes into the brain to control intracerebral spread of MCMV. The Laboratory's other program studies the immunoregulation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis by microglial cells. We are investigating how chemokines produced by microglial cells in response to HSV infection initiate cascades of neuroimmune responses that result in the serious brain damage seen during herpes encephalitis. Knowledge gained from these studies will increase our understanding of the role of chemokine networks in regulating brain inflammation with the ultimate goal of finding new therapy for serious viral brain infections.

Viral brain infections

Primary Research Focus:

Investigating the globally predominant sexual route of HIV transmission with the goal of developing effective vaccines and microbicides

Research Summary:

My laboratory investigates the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of lentiviral immunodeficiency infections caused by HIV-1 and its simian relative, SIV, using such technologies as in situ hybridization, in situ tetramer staining and quantitative image analysis to visualize infection and the hosts' cellular immune response in tissues. Much of our recent work has focused on sexual mucosal transmission and the acute stage of SIV infection, the roles of "resting" and activated CD4 T cells in establishing infection, and the mechanisms of the massive depletion of CD4 T cells in the gut. Going forward, these studies provide a foundation for studies of the correlates of protection for attenuated vaccines, and the development of vaccines and microbicides to prevent transmission. My laboratory has also undertaken a comprehensive microarray analysis of HIV-1 and SIV infections with the objectives of understanding pathogenesis and identifying novel targets for treatment and prevention. Current efforts focus on broadening the microarray analysis to encompass the early through late stages of HIV-1 infection, and mapping genes identified in the analysis to gain insight into their function in HIV-1 infected lymphatic tissues, the principal sites of virus production, persistence and pathology.

Viral pathogenesis, HIV

Primary Research Focus:

Understanding and targeting HIV-1 host interactions at the molecular and cellular levels.

Research Summary:

My laboratory is working on exciting directions to understand and target HIV-1 host interactions at the molecular and cellular levels. We use interdisciplinary approaches at the interface of synthetic and molecular virology, immunology and cell biology to gain new insights into complex biological processes with the aim of translating these insights into novel therapies and vaccines to treat and prevent viral infections.

Primary Research Focus:

Utilizing IL-15 to deplete HIV reservoirs and improve immune responses. Additionally, antifibrotic therapy to improve immune reconstitution in HIV

Research Summary:

Dr. Schacker is interested in how HIV causes immune suppression and why antiretrovirals do not fully restore immunity. His group focuses on inflammatory damage in lymphatic tissues; the principal site of HIV infection, that results in fibrosis of the lymphatic structures required to maintain a normal population of CD4 cells. They are testing novel therapies to prevent and/or reverse this process and slow T cell depletion in HIV and improve their reconstitution when antiretroviral is begun. He is also the principal investigator of a federally funded program of projects designed to determine barriers to HIV eradication. In addition, Dr. Schacker has established a collaboration with the Joint Clinical Research Center in Kampala, Uganda to study how constant exposure to common infections like tuberculosis, malaria, and helminthic infections affect rates of HIV transmission and progression. IL-15 to Deplete HIV Reservoirs and Improve Immune Responses; Antifibrotic Therapy to Improve Immune Reconstitution in HIV

Primary Research Focus:

Innate immunity, particularly NK cells, in malaria to understand protective and pathological mechanics of the disease

Research Summary:

Basic human immunology, Malaria immunity and pathogenesis, Antibody mediated immunity, Innate inflammation regulation, Human immunology of malaria 

There is no approved vaccine for malaria, and there are still many fundamental unanswered questions for malaria immunity. The Hart lab believes many of these unanswered questions lie where innate immunity intersects with the adaptive immune system. Using a basic immunology approach, they collaborate with on-going studies in malaria endemic regions of Africa. Current malaria projects center around understanding the mechanism of antibody mediated immunity and innate regulatory mechanisms (or lack thereof) in pathological immune responses. We use human subject samples primarily for our studies, and we are also developing novel mouse models to better understand in vivo dynamics where needed. 

Primary Research Focus:

Advancing understanding of how the adaptive immune system combats infection with bacterial pathogen responsible for human TB

Research Summary:

Dr. Bold is a physician-scientist, trained in the clinical practice of infectious diseases and laboratory based investigations of microbiology and immunology. His clinical interests regard the care of immune-compromised patients being treated for cancer or undergoing transplantation. His lab in the Center for Immunology is focused on advancing understanding of how the immune system combats infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterial pathogen responsible for human TB, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Primary Research Focus:

Meningitis in resource-limited areas including diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and quality improvement initiatives while incorporating cost-effectiveness

Research Summary:

Reducing HIV-related mortality in people living with AIDS, Improving Diagnostics for Meningitis, Improving treatments for Cryptococcal meningitis and TB meningitis, Preventing avoidable deaths due to subclinical cryptococcosis, Clinical Trials for novel meningitis therapeutics and strategies, Quality improvement initiatives to improve survival in resource-limited settings, Antimicrobial resistance in low and middle income countries

Research Projects: Improving Diagnostics and Neurocognitive Outcomes in HIV/AIDS-related Meningitis (R01 NS086312) Phased Implementation of a Public Health Programme: Cryptococcal Screening and Treatment in South Africa. ( R01AI118511) Operational Research for Cryptococcal Antigen Screening (ORCAS) of HIV Patients (U01AI125003) Infectious Disease Training in Clinical Investigation (T32AI055433) Encochleated Oral Amphotericin for Cryptococcal Meningitis Trial TB Meningitis: Evaluating CSF Immunology to Discover Hidden Disease and Potential Immunomodulatory Therapies Redefining Tuberculosis Meningitis with Metagenomics and Host Transcriptomics NIH ACTIV-6 COVID Platform Trial.