Recent Breakthroughs

Research towards an HIV Cure – ONPRC scientists are gaining new insights into strategies that lead to HIV remission and eventually a cure by better understanding where in the body and how the virus persists and testing promising approaches to eliminate the virus, ranging from novel therapeutic drugs that target latently infected cells to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation approaches. (Picker, Nelson, Sacha, and Frueh Labs)

Combatting multiple sclerosis - Scientists at ONPRC have discovered a naturally occurring disease in monkeys that is very much like multiple sclerosis in humans — a discovery that could have a major impact on efforts to understand its cause and the development of novel treatments. (Sherman, Wong, Rooney Labs)

Prevent or reverse age-related dementia: ONPRC investigators were the first to discover a mechanism that prevents new neurons from forming in old brains. This discovery provides a new path for investigating ways to prevent or even reverse age-related dementia — promoting the formation of neurons and preventing their decline. (Sherman Lab)

Using human monoclonal antibodies to protect babies born to mothers with HIV by treating within a single dose given the first few days after birth. This antibody therapy is safe and prevents permanent establishment of the virus in the body, so that no additional treatment is necessary. (Haigwood, Hessell Labs)

Infectious disease vaccine development – Researchers developed a promising new cytomegalovirus- based vaccine approach that has greatly improved the outlook on making a vaccine for HIV/AIDS, as well as for other global diseases, including TB, West Nile virus, and malaria. (Picker, Frueh, Slifka, Wilder Labs)

Curing Blindness - ONPRC and the Casey Eye Institute have begun human clinical trials to treat macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness. The work is based on ONPRC research documenting a genetic basis to the disorder and piloting gene therapy prior to human studies. (Neuringer Lab)

Infant formula and eye health - Information learned at the ONPRC about the role various ingredients in breast milk play in healthy eye development has resulted in changes in infant formula worldwide. (Neuringer Lab)

Making birth control better, safer, and more accessible – Research at ONPRC has highlighted new birth control methods that may be safer, more effective, and more convenient than current methods. Center scientists are also developing novel, nonsurgical permanent contraceptive methods that would be available to women in settings with limited healthcare resources, non-hormonal forms of contraception for women, and an IUD that could prevent an HIV infection in addition to pregnancy. (Hennebold, Jensen, Slayden, Hanna and Zelinski Labs)