Entries by Academic Web Pages

Bioinformatics

The central role of the Bioinformatics team at CVVR is to apply state-of-the-art computational methods, and machine learning algorithms to analyze and integrate high throughput data sets to provide analytical tools and support in computational biology and bioinformatics to the broad CVVR community. We aim to accelerate genomics research and its applications in clinical practice by analyzing and integrating high throughput data sets such as bulk and single cell RNA-Seq; metabolome, proteome, cytokines and chemokines profiling, flow cytometry, and high-dimensional tissue imaging to generate and validate mechanistic hypotheses using human and animal models for HIV, SIV, TB, ZIKA, Yellow Fever, and COVID-19 studies.

Reproductive Immunology and Virology

One of the areas of research aims to understand how humoral and cellular immunity is altered during pregnancy. We study the maternal immune response to the feto-placental unit using basic science to profile immune responses at the uterus in healthy and complicated pregnancies. We also study how pregnancy physiology alters the response to pathogens and vaccines, and how to optimize neonatal immunity through transplacental transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus.

Tissue Biology

Understanding how immune cells exert functions in their native context is fundamental towards deciphering engineering better defenses against viral infections or cancer. CVVR investigators collaboratively combine their deep expertise in translational immunology, viral pathogenesis and technological breakthroughs in spatial-omics to tackle intractable questions in infectious diseases.

Technology Development and Applications

Key breakthroughs in biological research often results from combining engineering innovative solutions to address fundamental questions. CVVR investigators are developing creative molecular tools to re-interrogate key questions in virus-host interactions and immune responses to diseases, thus enabling new insights into targetable therapeutics.

RCAD002 / IAVI R002

We are looking for healthy men and women ages 18-50 years old for a clinical trial of an experimental HIV vaccine given in capsule form. Note: it is impossible to get HIV infection from the study vaccine.

Z002

This study assessed two different dosages of an investigational Zika Virus vaccine in healthy adults. The study closed enrollment in September 2018. Data analysis is underway.

IPCAVD010

This study assessed different vaccine schedules using two experimental HIV vaccines in healthy HIV-negative adults. The study started in March 2016 and was completed in January 2019.

Medical All-Stars

The Boston Red Sox honored Dr.Stephenson on June 7th,2019 as a Medical All-Star for her work in the HIV research field.