Project: Investigating the effects of Methylseleninic Acid on anti-HIV immunity
Lewin group
Methylseleninic Acid (MSA) is a novel agent being investigated for its ability to reactivate and deplete latently HIV infected cells, the major barrier to HIV cure. Though we have an understanding of the effects of MSA on HIV virology, we have limited understanding of its effects on primary cell biology. We are keenly interested in the effect of MSA on CD8 T-cell proliferation and HIV specific CD8 reinvigoration after antigenic stimulation. Furthermore, MSA has been implicated in modulating MHC1 in cancer cells, enhancing killing by CD8s. This project aims to determine whether MSA can enhance MHC 1 expression on CD4 T-cells in the presence of HIV Nef protein (a negative regulator of MHC 1), and whether MSA is able to enhance CD8 immunity in an HIV context. During this project, the student will learn cell culture techniques, primary cell buffy coat processing, multi-colour spectral cytometry, cell transfection and lipid-nanoparticle production.
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Lewin group
4 vacancies
The focus of the Lewin group is to understand why HIV infection persists on antiretroviral therapy and to develop new strategies to eliminate latency. The lab also researches factors that drive liver disease in HIV-hepatitis B virus co-infection. The lab is also actively involved in COVID in relation to pathogenesis, the use of primary tissue models, and developing therapeutics using gene editing strategies.
Lewin group Current Projects
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.