Studies of the early events of virus transmission and dissemination.
Accurate immunological and virological analyses of the acute phase of infection.
Detailed characterization of the pathology in tissues.
Characterization of the in vivo role of specific viral proteins (i.e. delta Nef viruses etc)
Definition of the role of the host immune response in controlling virus replication by using “depletion” techniques.
Studies of pathogenesis using “invasive” techniques (i.e., repeated tissue sampling, cell labeling techniques, etc).
Definition of the mechanisms by which natural SIV hosts are resistant to AIDS despite high viremia.
Pre-clinical testing of candidate AIDS vaccines, microbicides, and ART strategies.