Studies focus on the diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology, immunology, and therapy of enteric infections. We are interested in the practical application of nonradioactive DNA or RNA probes to the identification of different enteric pathogens in the field, the development of rapid methods to detect and characterize enteric pathogens, the application of molecular methods such as AFLP and RAPD as alternatives to serotyping in epidemiologic studies, the study of host immune responses to enteric infections, the development of an animal model in which to study the effects of enteric infections, and the identification of mechanisms of microbial resistance. Organisms of primary interest include Campylobacter, Shigella, E. coli, and Cyclospora.

The Department of Retrovirology is primarily concerned with the clinical testing and assessment of HIV vaccine candidates. During 1995-2001, a series of phase I/II clinical trials of HIV candidate vaccines were carried out in collaboration with the Thai AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group. A subtype E "prime-boost" combination (ALVAC and AIDSVAX) is being advanced to phase III testing in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health. In support of the clinical vaccine development, additional research areas include (1) molecular epidemiological studies of the HIV circulating in the planned study areas of Thailand, (2) determination of systemic and mucosal immune responses to HIV infection and immunization, and (3) determination of clinical course and surrogate markers of HIV infection in the local population. Mentoring of Associates would be augmented by civilian scientists on the Department staff, which includes scientists from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.

Research activity covers vaccine development as well as immunopathological aspects of malaria. Vaccinology related areas include the study of antigenic competition in malaria combination vaccines and different prime boost regimens and impact on parasitological endpoints. Investigations in immunoregulation and immunopathogenesis include analysis of mechanisms of innate immune response against Plasmodium falciparum and the role of dendritic cells and regulatory T cells.

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