Harnessing Cytotoxic T-cells to Eliminate Clonally Expanded HIV Reservoirs

R. Brad Jones, PhD
Associate Professor 
Division of Infectious Diseases
Weill Cornell Medicine

Principal Investigator
Research Enterprise to Advance a Cure for HIV (REACH)
Martin Delaney Collaboratories
New York, NY, USA

This conference is hosted by Jean-François Côté, PhD and Éric Cohen, PhD. 

This lecture will be held in person, in the IRCM Jacques-Genest Auditorium, but will also be broadcastl live on Zoom (ID: 971 2857 0013 - Code: 879170)

About this conference
Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV persists for life as a pool of infected CD4+ T-cells that quickly reseed viral replication if ART is interrupted. Our research is focused on advancing our understanding of how these reservoir-harboring cells – which tend to comprise populations of expanded clones – persist despite immune pressure. Applying these insights along with strategies to enhance the effector functions of cytotoxic T-cells (CTL), we are developing immune-based approaches aimed at eliminating HIV reservoirs and curing infections. We will present and contextualize recent advances in these areas, highlighting strategies that are being taken forwards into clinical trials.

About R. Brad Jones
Dr. R. Brad Jones is a Viral Immunologist, and an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, in the Division of Infectious Diseases. His current research is focused on understanding how to effectively harness innate and adaptive cellular immune responses to contribute to the elimination of the HIV reservoirs that persist in individuals on long-term therapy, and thus to inform efforts to cure infection. Work in the Jones lab has led the discovery of cell-intrinsic resistance to cytotoxic T-cells, as a contributor to HIV persistence on long-term antiretroviral therapy; with ongoing research focused on uncovering and overcoming underlying mechanisms. 

Dr. Jones received his PhD in Immunology from the University of Toronto, before beginning a post-doctoral fellowship at the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard in 2012. He currently serves as Principal Investigator of the NIH-funded Martin Delaney ‘REACH’ collaboratory.

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