Infectious Diseases Research

Research in the Division of Infectious Diseases is focused primarily on:

• HIV/AIDS
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Bioterrorism and Development of Vaccines and Diagnostics
• Bacterial Pathogenesis

HIV/AIDS

The research in HIV/AIDS includes basic science, clinical research, and epidemiology projects. Basic research on HIV is led by Dr. Donald Forthal and focuses on understanding how antibodies interact with cells of the immune system to inhibit HIV. This research is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and by the Universitywide AIDS Research Program (UARP). His work in this area has resulted in collaborations with faculty in the Departments of Pathology, and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, as well as national and international collaborations.

HIV clinical research has been led by Drs. Jeremiah Tilles, Catherine Diamond, and Steven Park with primary support through the California Cooperative Treatment Group (a consortium of four institutions in California funded by the UARP). Dr. Diamond is supported by the NIH to conduct research on the epidemiology of HIV-related cancers.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Arthropod-borne diseases, including their ecology, evolutionary biology, and host interactions are a current area of strength within the Division. The research of two faculty members, Drs. Guiyun Yan and Alan Barbour, is focused in this area.

Dr. Barbour is the Principal Investigator of the Pacific Southwest Regional Center for Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCE). This multicenter collaboration, funded by the NIH, establishes the Division of Infectious Diseases as a leader in these critical areas of research. Other current faculty members involved in the RCE include Drs. Donald Forthal and Guiyun Yan. Dr. Yan, who joined the UC Irvine faculty in fall 2006 and has a primary appointment in the Program in Public Health, researches the population biology of malaria vectors and malaria epidemiology.

Bioterrorism and Development of Vaccines and Diagnostics

As of July 1, 2006, the Division added two research faculty members – Drs. Phil Felgner and Huw Davies – in the areas of proteomics, and of vaccine and diagnostic reagent development. These faculty are funded by the NIH, industry, and private foundations and have collaborations with the RCE.

Bacterial Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis of chlamydia infections is another area of research strength within the Division. Dr. Ming Tan’s work in this area is funded by the NIH and the American Heart Association and involves collaborations with faculty in other departments at UC Irvine and outside of UCI.

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