Paul A. Luciw, Ph.D.
Infectious Diseases Unit
Core Scientist
Professor
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
UC Davis School of Medicine
Research
Dr. Luciw has studied molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in rhesus macaques experimentally infected with SIV/chimeric SHIV clones and has collaborated with extramural investigators to test anti-HIV-1 vaccine and drug therapy approaches in simian AIDS models. In the SHIV/macaque model, he studies antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral reservoirs. Dr. Luciw is using the simian AIDS model, based on experimental infection of rhesus macaques with SIV or SHIV clones, to test novel therapeutic approaches, based on small-molecule viral inducers, that aim to eliminate virus from these reservoirs. Additional related studies aim to analyze pharmacologic properties of viral activators and the penetration of antiretroviral drugs in the simian AIDS model.
HIV-1 and AIDS
Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) protocols do not eliminate persistent/latent HIV-1. Macaque models of HIV-1 infection and AIDS, involving either SIV or chimeric SHIV infection, have been used to develop antiretroviral drug regimens that suppress virus load to very low levels. Importantly, these models now provide opportunities to test novel anti-latency therapies aimed at eliminating virus from reservoirs.
