Engineering B Cells for an HIV Cure

Speaker:

Paula Cannon, PhD, Distinguished Professor, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are rare antibodies that form in some individuals that recognize multiple strains of HIV and are difficult for HIV to evolve resistance against. This has led to bnAbs being considered as an antibody therapy or prevention for HIV. We are exploring whether an individual’s own B cells could be re-programed to express such bnAbs, and thereby provide long-term control HIV.

Objectives:

1. Understand the special features of broadly neutralizing antibodies.

2. Characterize the basic concepts of gene editing.

3. Comprehend the unique characteristics of a B cell and their role in making and regulating antibodies.