Summary
Our research program in Transplantation Virology and Infectious Diseases Research is aimed at advancing the management of infections that occur after solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To achieve this goal, we are conducting:
- laboratory-based projects that characterize the interaction between the human host and the invading microbe;
- translational research projects aimed at applying our laboratory data into the clinical arena; and
- clinical projects that are aimed to assess the current state of clinical practice and generate relevant questions that need further laboratory-based investigations.
The laboratory-based aspect of the program is based in the Medical Sciences Building. Current projects in the laboratory include:
- assessing the biology of Toll-like receptors in response to various pathogens such as cytomegalovirus, fungi, and hepatitis C virus;
- using viral reactivation and replication as a measure of the intensity of immune suppression; and
- assessment of cytomegalovirus-specific T cells in immunologic reconstitution following transplantation.
The clinical research program is based in the Division of Infectious Diseases office in Marian Hall. Several ongoing projects include the assessment of the risk factors, treatment and outcomes of cytomegalovirus and other viral and fungal infections after transplantation. In addition, we have ongoing clinical trials aimed at assessing antiviral therapy for BK nephropathy and the use of investigational drugs for the prevention of cytomegalovirus disease after transplantation.