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Molecular Virology

Please note: As of 2012-01-02 The Molecular Virology group has moved to the Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö.

Our research focuses on genetic diversity and pathogenesis of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). We are using molecular techniques, cell biology and bioinformatics to better understand the significance of HIV genetic diversity for the pathogenesis of AIDS. The goal of our research is to add to the knowledge of HIV biology and the host-virus interaction with the aim of improving therapy and treatment regimens, and ultimately, in vaccine development.

HIV and AIDS

The HIV pandemic continues to accelerate at a rate of 15,000 new infections occurring every day, generating a total of more than 5,4 million of newly infected individuals every year. According to the WHO and UNAIDS estimates, since the start of the epidemic there have been more than 53 million people world wide who have become infected with HIV (http://www.unaids.org). An overwhelming majority of these infections – some 95% of the global total – have occurred in developing countries. Over the past years, the AIDS pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 18 million people, placing HIV/AIDS among three major killer infectious diseases of humans, together with malaria and tuberculosis.

Research

• HIV-1 cell entry and therapy
• HIV-1 and HIV-2 coinfections
• Molecular Evolution of HIV-1 in Africa.
• Endogenous retroviruses