Dr Mkunde Chachage

Country: Tanzania

Institution: University of Dar es Salaam-Mbeya College of Health Allied Sciences (UDSM-MCHAS) and National Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Center (NIMR-MMRC)

Research Areas: HIV pathogenesis, co-infections, vaccinology and cure research and Identification of immune-markers for TB diagnosis and treatment monitoring

Lab Website: http://mmrp.org/infrastructure/cellular-immunology

Our Immuno lab is interested in human immune responses to infectious diseases. Specifically: we study immunologic interactions between HIV and other pathogens with a particular focus on cellular immunology. We have (i) investigated T-cell modulation during HIV and helminth infections (Trichuris, W. bancrofti, Hookworm, Schistosome species, Ascaris); (ii) characterized Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-specific T cell responses in relation to HPV disease, HIV and cART status; and (iii) carried out immunogenicity testing for different HIV vaccine candidates. We currently have ongoing projects on identification of immune-markers that can aid in timely/accurate diagnosis and treatment monitoring of tuberculosis.  We are also studying immune mechanisms that lead to an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection in W. bancrofti infected persons. We have recently developed an interest in the role of HIV infection in causing premature immune-ageing especially in children and adolescents who are on therapy