Program Overview

Introduction to the HIV Pathogenesis Programme

The University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) is a prestigious academic program that focuses on the study of HIV pathogenesis. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological and immunological aspects of HIV infection.

Master's Graduates in the HIV Pathogenesis Programme

The HPP recently graduated five new master's students, who were supervised by renowned academics in the field. The graduates' research projects were diverse and covered various aspects of HIV pathogenesis.

• Ms Silondoloze Mtanjana's research project, supervised by Dr Bongiwe Ndlovu, was titled "Evaluation of Sequence Differences and the Neutralization Sensitivity between Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) derived HIV-1 Subtype C clones". The study found differences in the HIV-1 Env genes and neutralisation sensitivity to various bnAbs between plasma and CSF variants.
• Mr Mali Mlaba's study, supervised by Professor Zaza Ndhlovu, examined the role of natural killer (NK) cells in the lymph nodes during HIV infection. The research addressed key gaps in the field and provided new insights into the mechanisms that influence cytolytic responses in the lymph node during Antiretroviral Therapy initiation.
• Mr Darian Naidu's study, supervised by Dr Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi, found that the crude extract of fungal endophyte Alternaria alternata had strong anti-HIV activity against different HIV-1 subtypes, integrase drug-resistant strains, and potential integrase inhibitory activity.
• Ms Nikeisha Samlall's research, supervised by Professor Jaclyn Mann, revealed particular amino acids that were important for Nef-mediated SERINC3 down-regulation. The study highlighted the potential importance of these mutations for the rational design of therapeutics and vaccines targeting the Nef region.
• Ms Nomcebo Mtshali's Master's in Virology dissertation, supervised by Dr Paradise Madlala, was titled "HIV-1 Subtype C LTR Sp1IIIT5A Mutation Induces the Transcriptional Activity and Sp1 Binding Affinity". The study provided new insights into the transcriptional activity and Sp1 binding affinity of the HIV-1 subtype C LTR.

Research Areas

The HPP's research areas include:

• HIV pathogenesis
• Immunology
• Virology
• Molecular biology
• Biochemistry

Career Prospects

Graduates of the HPP have gone on to pursue successful careers in academia, research, and industry. Many have published their research in prestigious scientific journals and presented their work at international conferences.

Conclusion

The HIV Pathogenesis Programme at UKZN is a renowned academic program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of HIV pathogenesis. The program's graduates have made significant contributions to the field, and their research has the potential to inform the development of new treatments and therapies for HIV infection.