Deans

Don Rosenblum, Ph.D. – Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences

Award Date

1-1-2014

Abstract

Seasonal influenza continues to challenge both scientists and clinicians. Each year influenza claims 250,000 to 500,000 lives worldwide. Over the past two decades these numbers have not changed significantly. All current vaccines that are clinically protective are dependent on neutralizing antibody response. Having a strong understanding of how the different components of the immune system function to form a humoral memory for protection from repeated challenges from influenza A virus infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts allows for design of more effective vaccination strategies and inform in treatment of influenza A virus infection. We engage in a computational modeling study to gain theoretical insight into the mechanisms of humoral memory induction and maintenance and how these mechanisms are compromised by, for example, HIV and pregnancy. From the model we will be able to tests the limits of a normally function immune system and make predictions about the function of immunocompromised systems.

Download

Share

COinS