Grant: Fellowship - PA: Biomedical / Clinical HIV/AIDS Research

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects immune system cells and either kills them or impairs their function, and can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). An impaired immune system is unable to surmount a proper immune response against infections and diseases. HIV-inflicted people that receive uninfected bone marrow progenitor cells are very likely to have these cells infected with HIV as well. Furthermore, availability of compatible progenitor cells is very limited. To address these problems we propose to use in vitro sources of stem cells, as well as a special type of stem cell that can be obtained by reprogramming adult cells such as skin cells. We have already been successful in generating immune system cells from these sources, providing a potentially unlimited supply of cells. These cells can be readily modified in order to acquire resistance to HIV infections, and their efficacy can be assessed in the laboratory. Our work would provide a novel, patient specific approach for developing patient-specific prevention and treatment to HIV infection.