Research
Our Research
UTMB is among the U.S. leaders in NIH-supported Infectious Disease research. Our HIV research ranges from basic studies on mechanisms of viral replication to studies of implementation of HIV and tuberculosis treatment strategies in Africa. We are developing tissues engineered from human stem cells as models of infections, studying the epidemiology of infections, and developing new diagnostic tests. We have a strong emphasis on immunology from basic studies in mucosal and burn models, to studies of regulatory cells in human infections.
We are leaders in the study of the immune response to parasitic infections (including malaria, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, and giardia). In collaboration with other departments, we are performing cutting edge studies on vector-borne diseases, such as Rickettsial infections. Through the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology, UTMB is a major center for the study of infection control.
The major research interests and expertise of the faculty of the Division are in the following areas:
- Burn wound infection pathogenesis
- HIV/AIDS outcomes research, HIV in Africa
- Mucosal immunology
- Infection control and hospital epidemiology
- Wound and surgical infections
- Parasitology and parasite pathogenesis
- Tissue engineering
- Tropical and travel Medicine, global health
- Viral pathogenesis (HIV, hepatitis)
The laboratories are equipped with cutting edge equipment including 2 flow cytometers and 2 real time PCR machines. UTMB core laboratories support ongoing research programs with state-of-the-art expertise and facilities, including in vivo and in vitro imaging and next generation sequencing.
