Research Activity

The UC Division of Infectious Diseases is engaged in all facets of research including basic, clinical and translational research projects. These projects are funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and industry.

The major focus of the basic research centers is on the pathogenicity and immune response to fungal and bacterial pathogens. In particular, our faculty has expertise on the biology and immune response to the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis murina, P. carinii, and P. jirovecii and the primary fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum.

Studies on Pneumocystis center on understanding its life cycle, the host immune response to Pneumocystis and drug discovery. Research on Histoplasma is directed toward understanding both the innate immune response to the fungus, as well as the development of T-cell mediated immunity.

In addition to these basic research programs, the division has been an NIH-designated AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) since 1988. We have conducted numerous clinical trials on new drugs to treat HIV and associated diseases.

Other clinical research efforts include the study of hepatitis viruses and co-infection with HIV, anal dysplasia, health systems epidemiology and strategic planning.