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In addition to educating future physicians and scientists, Einstein is a leading biomedical and basic science research institution whose motto, "science at the heart of medicine," reflects our dedication to combining scientific and academic excellence in a highly productive and collaborative environment. More than 2,000 investigators, assisted by postdocs, students and lab technicians, conduct research to further our understanding of and identify treatments for ailments including diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and AIDS, as well as developmental brain disorders and cardiac disease.

Research Round-Up

Safe and Protected — Dr. William Jacobs, Jr. has been awarded a $6 million grant over five years from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a novel vaccine for tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial disease whose extensive drug resistance, along with socioeconomic realities, has stymied global control efforts. Using a genetically engineered strain of bacteria called IKEPLUS, which was shown to be safe and to stimulate an enhanced protective immune response in a mouse model, the researchers will evaluate the efficacy of IKEPLUS used both alone and in combination with the traditional BCG vaccine.  Additionally, the laboratory will develop a manufacturing process for a human IKEPLUS vaccine and will establish biomarker assays to determine how well the vaccine protects against TB. This project represents a key effort to develop and optimize a promising vaccine for TB. Dr. Jacobs is professor of microbiology & immunology and of genetics at Einstein, and is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator.

Helpful Interference — Dr. Deborah Palliser has been awarded a $2 million grant over five years from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to investigate RNAi, a recently identified method of silencing specific genes, as a potential microbicide against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including genital herpes virus and HIV.  Using an animal model of genital herpes infection, Dr. Palliser will evaluate a panel of RNAi molecules for their ability to silence viral and host genes, and she will determine the effect of any associated host immune responses on RNAi-mediated protection. She also will attempt to identify potential RNAi uptake receptor(s) expressed by vaginal cell surface proteins. This work aims to refine the technology and elucidate the mechanism of RNAi-mediated protection against STIs, with the long-term goal of developing a clinical therapy. Dr. Palliser is assistant professor of microbiology & immunology.

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