Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

After more than thirty years of research, HIV/AIDS remains a major global health problem. More than 70,000 people are living with HIV in Canada, with increasing incidence in vulnerable groups such as homosexual males, intravenous drug users, aboriginals, and women. Current antiretroviral therapies (ART) control HIV replication but eradication is not achieved. Potent vaccines against HIV infection do not exist despite promising results from the RV144 trial. Complex approaches involving ART and immunotherapy are needed to prevent HIV acquisition and to eradicate viral reservoirs from long-lived cells and deep tissues. The keynotes by Dr. Sharon Lewin (Australia) and Dr. Adolpho Garcia-Sastre (USA) at this symposium will address major gaps on strategies by which HIV evades innate immunity and mechanisms of latency establishment. The organization of this symposium is in line with the current international research priorities toward the eradication of viruses causing chronic infections that represent a major financial burden for public health. Our objectives are 1) to highlight the research achievements of CRCHUM investigators in the field of HIV and other chronic viral infections; 2) to create a continuing dialog and bridge the gap between the different investigators spanning basic, clinical, and epidemiological research; 3) to place these research activities in context with the local community in Montreal and Quebec and globally with the work of investigators world-wide; 4) to increase awareness about the epidemic and to enhance access to information and treatment by vulnerable populations; and 5) to stimulate a new generation of young investigators to pursue a research career in HIV and other chronic viral infections. This symposium is meant to be an important forum of discussion on research priorities toward cure in chronic viral infectious diseases, particularly on HIV.