We are pleased to announce that DC CFAR investigator, Dr. Sergei Nekhai (HU) recently been awarded an R01 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) entitled, "Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait Protection Against HIV-1 Infection in African Americans".
The project seeks to evaluate the effect of sickle cell disease in HIV-1 restriction in HIV-1 positive individuals. In addition, the project will look at the effect of sickle cell trait on HIV-1 infection in African Americans and Africans. The researchers hope to reduce disparities and increase understanding of the molecular mechanism of HIV-1 infection in patients with sickle cell disease.