Grant: New Investigator Award - PA: CHVI Vaccine Discovery and Social Research

HIV evolves extremely rapidly in response to its environment. As a result, the history of HIV transmission and adaptation leaves a distinct imprint on the genetic composition of each virus population. The overall objective of my research program is to develop computational tools that will enable us to reconstruct the spread and adaptation of HIV from these imprints, with the ultimate goal of directly applying this knowledge to prevent the transmission of HIV among Canadians. HIV genetic variation can be studied at two levels that both hold significant information for HIV prevention. First, we can study the genetic divergence of virus populations as they spread and adapt to different hosts. Second, we can study the accumulation of mutations in a virus population as it evolves within a single individual. A common thread to the study of genetic variation at any level is the use of a tree, called a 'phylogeny', to reconstruct the evolutionary origins of the diversity we see. My research program will use phylogenies to address critical problems in HIV prevention, concerning both the development of anti-HIV vaccines and the global initiative to expand access to HIV treatment known as 'Treatment as Prevention' (TasP). Specific aims of my program include: (1) identifying potential targets of HIV vaccines in virus-encoded proteins; (2) quantifying the impact of TasP on the transmission of HIV, including drug-resistant variants; (3) reconstructing the genetic characteristics of transmitted HIV variants; and (4) directly evaluating the impact of expanding access to HIV testing by reconstructing dates of HIV infection. These projects will directly impact the health of Canadians by evaluating the impact of current HIV prevention initiatives. Furthermore, my research plan includes several knowledge translation goals to ensure the uptake and utilization of these innovations by stakeholders in HIV prevention, including the public release of software and dissemination workshops.