Picker Lab | OHSU

The Picker Lab Group is located at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute (VGTI), on the west campus of OHSU, adjacent to campus of the Oregon National Primate Research Center. We use the nonhuman primate models to study T cell responses to persistent, immune evasive agents such CMV, SIV/HIV and M. tuberculosis, and have developed a revolutionary vaccine platform based on CMV to combat immune evasive pathogens. In addition, we are investigating ways to cure individuals of HIV infection using the SIV Rhesus macaque model.

About us

Dr. Picker Lab coordinates the HIV and tuberculosis vaccine research programs at the VGTI, including the development of CMV vectored HIV and tuberculosis vaccines, and is a senior member the VGTI HIV cure research program. His group consists of the Hansen and Okoye labs, a flow cytometry unit led by Dr. Andrew Sylwester, and is closely linked to the Früh and Estes labs in the VGTI and the Bimber lab in the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

Goals of the group include 1) understanding the mechanisms underlying the “control and clear” efficacy of RhCMV/SIV vectored vaccines, which is based on MHC-E-restricted CD8⁺ T cell responses, and optimization of this vaccine approach for use in people, 2) elucidating innate and adaptive immune mechanisms contributing to M. tuberculosis control in Rhesus macaques, 3) development of immune-based therapies for the eradication or stable long-term off-ART control of SIV infection in Rhesus macaques.