Dr. Amy Gillgrass

The Gillgrass lab’s primary research focus is on virology, immunology and infectious disease. Globally, 39.9 million people are living with HIV.  Currently, there is effective treatment, but no cure or vaccine for HIV. HIV cure has been elusive and the Gillgrass lab is exploring NK cell-based strategies for HIV cure in next-generation humanized mouse models. We want to optimize the use of super activated NK cells as the kill in shock (latency reversal agents) and kill after ART cessation.  The major cause of death in people living with HIV is from co-infections with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis leads to 1.25 million deaths a year.  The combination of the two pathogens can be lethal since each negatively affects the disease progression of the other. Another area we are focusing on is using next-generation humanized mouse models to explore the pathogenesis of HIV/TB co-infection to devise treatment, prophylaxis and improve disease outcomes.  Additional projects in the lab include using humanized mice in drug development, cancer and vaccine studies.