Lecture - Dr Jörn Schmitz - How to conquer HIV: Lessons from Immunopathology investigations

28/10/2016 13:00 to 28/10/2016 16:30 (Europe/Luxembourg)

Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg

Speaker

Dr Jörn SCHMITZ is Head of Department of Immunotherapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular, Biology and Applied Ecology IME.

ABSTRACT

HIV has been around for millennia and its natural hosts had found ways to adapt to this infection resulting in a “peaceful” coexistence rather than fighting the infection by classical immune responses. HIV infection in nonnatural hosts like humans results in aggressive activation of the immune system. However, HIV´s ability to rapidly mutate and effectively evade the immune system gives HIV a significant advantage that results in the typical sequelae in humans with rapid occurrence of overt signs of disease and premature death. A significant difference in the initial cytokine storm following HIV infection in natural hosts and nonnatural host will be discussed. Furthermore, the talk will cover the role and limitation of adaptive immune responses in HIV infection in natural hosts and nonnatural hosts. Finally, currently ongoing attempts to conquer the HIV pandemic will be outlined by addressing passive and active immunization strategies. The field clearly has made progress in understanding possible Achilles heals of HIV. However, progress remains incremental and the ultimate goal to generate an effective HIV vaccine will likely still take many years.

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SCHEDULE

13:00 - 14:30 : LECTURE

Lycée Technique d'Esch/Alzette - Salle de projection audiovisuelle

15:00 - 16:30 : 'meet & greet'

House of BioHealth
Room Françoise Barré-Sinoussi

Registration required for the 'Meet & Greet' - send us an email.

About the Lecture & Workshop series - Infection & Immunity

The LIH Lecture Series and Workshops in Infection and Immunity, supported by the FNR, are gathering internationally recognised speakers to address topics around Infection and Immunity. Twelve lectures will be organised in 2016, followed by workshops especially dedicated to early-stage researchers.

Attendance to the lectures and workshops are free of charge. Should you be interested in registering for the workshops, please feel free to do so by sending us an email.

Download the whole programme for 2016 here!

Where

32 rue Henri Koch
    Esch/Alzette 4354
    Luxembourg

When

From 28/10/2016 13:00
To 28/10/2016 16:30

Contact

Luxembourg Institute of Health
+352 26 970
+352 26 970 719
odoo@lih.lu