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Amanda’s research focuses on simian immunodeficiency virus, the nonhuman primate analog of HIV, and its restriction in baboons. The mechanisms underlying baboon’s natural immunity against SIV remain unknown. Understanding the mechanisms behind some individual’s ability to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections without the assistance of antiretroviral therapy could be the key that unlocks a functional cure for this debilitating disease. This select group, known as elite controllers (EC), are a heterogeneous population. An animal model for investigating EC’s innate immunity against immunodeficiency virus would be invaluable to the scientific community. Her aim is to characterize baboon as a model organism for innate immunity against SIV and developing baboons as a model for elite controllers. She has developed a two-pronged approach to investigate this unique host-pathogen interaction, including investigating both host response to viral challenge, as well as viral adaptation to baboon’s inherent selective pressures.

Research Topic: The Baboon Model of Natural Immunity against Immunodeficiency Virus

Research Subtopic: Non-human primates, human immunodeficiency virus, elite controllers

Related Diseases: Human immunodeficiency virus, simian immunodeficiency virus

Techniques: Virology, immunology, animal models, non-human primates, Luminex Multi-Analyte Profiling (xMAP), molecular cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, transformation, transfection, real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, flow cytometry, mammalian cell culture, enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay, activation-induced markers (AIM) assay

Additional Associated Institutions: Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Southwest National Primate Research Center, Trinity University