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Current research in Dr. Richman's laboratory focuses on the natural history and molecular pathogenesis of HIV in a cohort of acutely infected patients. These studies include the cell mediated and neutralizing antibody immune responses to HIV and the viral escape and evolution in response to these. With regard to neutralization escape, we are interested in the epitopes that elicit the neutralizing antibody responses to autologous virus in human infections and the viral mutations that account for escape from these responses. We are also interested in characterizing the epitopes that elicit the too infrequent broadly reactive neutralizing responses in some patients. This information is central for the development of an effective HIV vaccine.

In addition virologic investigations include studies of HIV drug resistance, the pathogenetic consequences of virus replication in anatomic compartments and viral latency. Blood plasma, latently infected CD4 T lymphocytes, genital secretions and cerebrospinal specimens are being obtained from patients who are well characterized clinically, virologically and immunologically. These studies address important issues like selective pressures on the evolution of the HIV populations in different body compartments and pathogenesis. They also have important clinical implications with regard to the natural history of disease and treatment.

Track(s):
Microbiology/Immunology