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Much has been discovered about HIV, but with close to 40 million people living with HIV, finding a cure remains a major challenge, according to HIV/AIDS expert Professor Clifford Lane.

Professor Clifford Lane, the Clinical Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institute of Health, will deliver the UNSW Dean of Medicine lecture early next month (Wednesday 2 November 2016).

The title of Lane’s address for UNSW Medicine’s flagship public lecture is: ‘35 Years of HIV/AIDS: Global Partnerships and Current Challenges.’

A native of Detroit, Professor Lane received his MD and residency training in internal medicine at the University of Michigan. He started his career at NIAID in 1979 as a fellow in infectious diseases and clinical laboratory immunology. 

When the AIDS epidemic emerged, Professor Lane turned his attention to study the mechanisms of HIV disease and the potential role of immune-based therapies, eventually extending his work through a series of international collaborations that began in Australia with Scientia Professor David Cooper and Professor Sean Emery from UNSW’s Kirby Institute.

Professor Lane’s current work is focused on the intersection between HIV infection, immune activation and coagulation; the role of “defective” HIV proviruses in HIV development and the dynamics of CD4+ T cells, a particular type of white blood cell where HIV reservoirs persist.

“Over the past 35 years much has been discovered regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS with much still to be learned,” Professor Lane said.

“The establishment of global clinical research partnerships has been instrumental in advancing our knowledge regarding the optimisation of treatment strategies as well as in shaping public health policy.

“Among the current challenge are the development of an effective vaccine and strategies for a cure.”  

What: UNSW Medicine 2016 Dean’s Lecture: 35 Years of HIV/AIDS: Global Partnerships and Current Challenges

When: 6pm for 6.30, Wednesday 2 November 2016.

Where: Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington campus.

Cost: Free; but registration is essential. Register here.