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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Position: |
Graduate Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. - Microbiology-University of Manitoba
- M.Sc. - University of Manitoba
- Pursuing Ph.D.
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Current Project: |
HIV-1 sequence diversity: a tool to predicct disease
progression and viral evolution
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About:
Allison did her undergrad at the University of Manitoba in the department of Microbiology,
graduating in December 2002. She started in Dr. Plummer’s lab in January 2003 as a Master’s student and transitioned to the
Ph.D. program in May 2005. Her initial work consisted of full-length HIV-1 genome sequencing,
in an effort to characterize the viruses infecting the women of the Pumwani sex worker cohort.
Allison wanted to determine clade distribution and recombination frequency in this cohort,
and compare it with what has been previously published. The full-length sequencing revealed that some viruses had
mutations in the vpu gene, which would presumably lead to it not being transcribed (i.e. not an ORF).
Her project now focuses on the accessory HIV-1 protein, Vpu. She has not graduated yet, so her project may be re-focused.
Email: Allison_Land@phac-aspc.gc.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Position: |
Graduate Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- MD—Internal Medicine, University of Norman Bethune
- BSc---Computer Science, Unversity of Manitoba
- MSc—Biochemistry and Human Genetics, University of Manitoba
- Pursuing Ph.D.
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Current Project: |
Evolution of HIV-1 Envelope Genes: Evaluation by an Immunological
Bioinformatics Approach
|
About:
Ben's project is to use an Immunological Bioinformatics approach to analyze the evolution of HIV envelope genes based on
all the envelope sequences available in Los Alamos HIV Sequence Database. They hypothesize that the potential immunogens
in envelope sequences appropriate for vaccine design will be identified.
Email: liangb0@Ms.UManitoba.CA |
Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Graduate Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- M.Sc. Biology – UQAM
- Pursuing Ph.D.
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Current Project: |
Characterization of indigenous Lactobacillus-associated microbiota related to HIV resistance on the immunological micro-environment of the genital tract.
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About:
John Schellenberg has worked on community-based STD/HIV prevention and research with young people in inner-city Winnipeg since 1995. He received a Master of Science degree in Biology from the Université du Québec à Montréal (2005) and joined the group as a PhD candidate in January 2005. The title of his project is: Characterization of indigenous Lactobacillus-associated microbiota related to HIV resistance and its effects on the immunological micro-environment of the genital tract. Current research activities are focussed on phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis of microbial communities in vaginal swab samples. He was selected as a trainee in the CIHR/International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID) Training Program in 2005, and received a Doctoral Research Award from CIHR in the October 2005 competition.
Email: schellenberg.john@courrier.uqam.ca |
Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Graduate Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. Microbiology, University of Manitoba
- Pursuing Ph.D.
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Current Project: |
HIV-neutralizing antibody specificities
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About: Jillian Waruk is a graduate student in the
Plummer lab, pursuing her PhD. Before joining the lab in 2001, she obtained a B.Sc. Microbiology Major at the University of Manitoba.
Her research entails the study of HIV-neutralizing antibody specificities and their
applications in vaccine research.
Email: superjill@yahoo.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Graduate Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. Honours Genetics –University of Manitoba
- Pursuing MSc Immunology--University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
NK Host genetics
|
About:
Rae-Anne started at the lab as a Co-op student in 2004 and previously completed a project on associations between
HIV-1 natural resistance and HLA DQ alleles. She finished her B.Sc. Honours Genetics at the University of Manitoba
in December and started graduate studies here in January. At the moment, Hardy is working on a new project looking
to identify Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs), receptors on natural killer cells, which may associate with HIV-1
resistance and rates of disease progression. These studies have all been performed using samples and biological data from
the Pumwani sex trade worker cohort from Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: umhardi8@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Position: |
Graduate Student |
 |
Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc--Biochemistry, Unversity of Ottawa
- Pursuing M.Sc Medical Microbiology -University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
Gene expression analysis in the genital tract
of HIV-resistant women
|
About:
Nadine is performing gene expression analysis on immune cells
from the cervix of HIV resistant and susceptible women to determine if there
are differences in gene expression in the genital tract that lead to HIV
resistance.
Email: umkaefer@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Graduate Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. (Hons) Microbiology–University of Manitoba
- Pursuing M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology
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Current Project: |
Whole blood isolations of the patients in the ML cohort
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About:
Caitlin has worked with the HIV lab since May 2004. She started out as a co-op student at National Microbiology Laboratory
(NML) and have recently joined Frank Plummer's lab at Med Micro to pursue a Masters degree (since January 2006).
Caitlin is currently studying the involvement of HIV-1 specific IgA antibodies at the genital tract and how these
antibodies are involved in resistance to HIV-1 infection. Specifically, she is producing IgA cloned from the B-cells of
several HIV-resistant women in the lab for further study. I'll be investigating whether these antibodies can bind to gp120
and whether they can neutralize HIV-1 in vitro. I will also identify the gp120 epitopes involved by using MALDI-qTOF mass spectrometry.
Email: willow_529@hotmail.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Co-Supervisor: |
Dr. Blake Ball
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Position: |
Graduate Student |
 |
Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. Microbiology - University of Manitoba
- Pursuing M.Sc in Medical Microbiology
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Current Project: |
The role of intrinsic cellular defense molecule, APOBEC3G, in innate immunity of HIV-1 infected individuals.
|
About:
Sujata joined the Plummer/Ball lab in September 2008. Her current research focus is on an endogenous
innate human protein called apolipoprotein B-mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide –like 3G (APOBEC3G)
which plays a significant role in creating point mutations in HIV-1 genome. A subset of patients our cohort
display dramatic hypermutation and furthermore these patients have a significantly higher CD4+ cell count.
We hope to characterize and identify that APOBEC3G is the key determinant for this increase in CD4+ expression
and hence explain why some individuals progress faster or slower to disease progression to AIDS. Ultimately,
this knowledge may play a key role in the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic modalities for HIV-1.
Email: sujatad84@gmail.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Position: |
Master's Student |
 |
Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. (Hons) Genetics
- Pursuing M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology
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Current Project: |
The role of Mucosal immunity in HIV infection
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About:
The initial site of HIV infection is most often at a mucosal barrier where IgA antibodies are the number one Ig class secreted. Stong HIV IgA specific antibody responces at the mucosal level could be a very important key in furthering vaccine development. We hope to develop HIV specific dimeric IgA antiobodies for possible therapeutic intervention at mucosal surfaces. Also identificiation and characterization of mucosal homing T and B cell markers from whole blood using iTRAQ could provide us with a novel examination of mucosal immunity and further vaccine design.
Email: Derek_Riley_Stein@hotmail.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Master's Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. (Hons) Microbiology–University of Manitoba
- Pursuing M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology
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Current Project: |
Effect of IRF-1 polymorphism
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About:
Effect of IRF-1 polymorphism associated with resistance on proteosome composition and subsequent generation of cytotoxic T cell epitopes. HIV-1 Tat represses the LMP2 levels by interfering with the binding of IRF-1 to STAT1, this leads to modified Ag processing and generation of subdominant CTL epitopes.
Email: aida_sivro@yahoo.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Master's Student |
 |
Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. Microbiology - University of Manitoba
- Pursuing Masters
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Current Project: |
Trappin-2 in HIV-resistant women
|
About:
Diana is currently working as a Master student in Blake's labl.
Her project will be looking at trappin-2, an anti- protease that
was found to be overexpressed in the HIV-resistant
women in our
cohort. She has recently graduated with my Bachelor of Science-Major
Microbiology from the University of Manitoba.
Email: ummlina1@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Co-Supervisor: |
Dr. Blake Ball
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|
Position: |
Master's Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- MBBS, Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Bangladesh Medical College
- Pursuing M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology ,University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
Measurement and characterization of Serpin A3 (Alpha-1 Antichymotrypsin) in the cervical mucosa of HIV-1 resistant and susceptible individuals.
|
About:
Serpin A3 is one of the anti-proteinases which antagonizes Cathepsin G enhancement of HIV infectivity. Cathepsin G (which is present in genital tract fluid) acts as a chemo - attractant for macrophages and neutrophils and increases the susceptibility of these cells to acute HIV infection. It can also cleave anti-HIV-1 factors (such as RANTES) to render them less effective against HIV-1.
My project is focused on measuring the levels of Serpin A3 present in genital tract fluids collected from individuals that are resistant or susceptible to infection with HIV-1. These measurements will then be compared with values stated in the literature to determine if the levels detected in these individuals are present at physiologically relevant concentrations sufficient for inhibition of Cathepsin G and/or the control of inflammatory processes. This work will contribute to a more complete understanding of mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility to HIV infection.
Email:sharmin30@yahoo.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Co-op Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- Third Year of B.Sc.(H) Biochemisty - University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
HLA-DP association with HIV-1 resistance and susceptability
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About:
Brigitte is a co-op student working in Dr. Luo's lab from January until August.
She is currently in the 3rd year of an Honours Biochemistry degree at the U of M.
Brigitte has been working with Erin Knight on the completion of the typing of the HLA-DP genes,
where she was typing HLA-DPB. So far, they have completed all the typing and are in the process of writing a manuscript.
Email: Brigitte_Bruneau@phac-aspc.gc.ca |
Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Co-op Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- Daniel McIntyre High School
- 4th year B.Sc. Microbiology - University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
A bioinformatic approach to study
escape mutations of HIV-1: analysis of gag genes;
HIV p24 and host interaction
|
About:
Rupert works on the projects. The first project involves correlating positively selected mutations in gag with HLA alleles and
patients CD4 counts. This method will identify and classify the CTL escape
mutations. this project is done by 3 authors: harold (p7-p1-p6), mark (p17), and
I (p24). The second project is the anaysis of p24 and its clade frequency within the Pumwani Sex worker
cohort. I would be looking at how the consensus from each clade changes
throughout 1980s to 2000s. I will also be looking at the frequency at which one
clade may diverge or converge into another clade.
Email: umcapina@cc.umanitoba.ca/strong>
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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Position: |
Co-op Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- Fourth year of B.Sc. (H) Genetics - University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
An investigation of the
correlation between HLA Class I Genotype and HIV-1 diversity in the MCH
Cohort
|
About:
Nicole works in the NML lab with Dr. Ma Luo. She is currently in her second
Co-op term (May - August 2006). Currently she is working on genotyping
HLA-A for HIV positive mothers of the MCH cohort and works with
work with Chris Czarnecki (who is genotyping HLA-B) and Siobhan Holland
who is genotyping HLA-C)
.
Once genotyped,
correlations between disease progression and HIV viral diversity will
be looked at. The next step is to then genotype the children of these
mothers and see if there are any further relationships, looking in
particular at HIV status.
Email:<umdunnnk@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Co-op Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- 4th Year B.Sc. Immunology - UBC
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Current Project: |
HLA-C for patients from the MCH cohort
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About: Siobhan's project is genotyping HLA-C for patients from the MCH cohort in order to
eventually compare viral diversity with HLA genotype. They may also follow virus
progression through mother-child transmission in association with HLA genotype. Some of her tasks include DNA Isolation from whole blood, buffy coat, blood spots; PCR;
Purification; Running gels; Sequencing PCR; High-Res Sequencing; Genotyping
(HLA-typing programs) along with basic lab duties.
Email: Siobhan_M_Holland@phac-aspc.gc.ca |
Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Co-op Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc.–College Universitaire de Saint-Boniface
- Pursuing Hnrs. Biochemistry—University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
HLA-DP association with HIV-1 resistance and susceptability
|
About:
Along with Brigitte Bruneau, Erin is currently working on a manuscript concerning the
association of HLA-DP alleles with HIV-1 resistance and susceptibility.
For this project DNA samples from over 1100 Pumwani Sex Worker Cohort
members were amplified for exon 2 of the DPA1 and DPB1 genes and
subsequently genotyped using high resolution sequence based typing. The
genotyping results and DP haplotype results were then correlated with
biological data to observe any existing associations with HIV-1 resistance
and susceptibility.
Email: erin_knight@phac-aspc.gc.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
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|
Position: |
Co-op Student |
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Degrees obtained: |
- 4th year B.Sc. (H) Microbiology - University of Manitoba
|
Current Project: |
A bioinformatic approach to study escape mutations of HIV-1: analysis
of gag genes
|
About:
This study helps to explain why certain HLA alleles are associated with
different disease outcomes and is an efficient approach to identify and
classify escape mutations in HIV-1 gag. This information can be used
in peptide based vaccine development
lab tech. and analysis of gag p17 gene from members of HIv positive
members of the kenyan sexworker cohort
Email: ummend02@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Co-op Student |
|
Degrees obtained: |
- B.Sc. Genetics - University of Manitoba
|
Current Project: |
A bioinformatic approach to study escape mutations of HIV-1: analysis of gag genes
|
About:
Harold is a Co-op student from the University of Manitoba and works at the National Microbiology Lab. He is currently studying positively selected amino acid sites of the p7-p1-p6 region of gag. By associating the positive selection to HLA alleles and correlating to higher or lower average CD4 count, we hope to classify these mutations. Essentially, using bioinformatics we hope to show that we can establish the functional significance of these mutations.
Email: harold.olufemi@gmail.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Graduate Student |
|
Degrees obtained: |
- High School Diploma - Grant Park High School
- B.Sc. Biology - University of Winnipeg
- Current medical school student University of Manitoba
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Current Project: |
HLA-G and HIV resistance
|
About:
A group of sex trade workers in Punwani, Kenya have been shown to
be resistant to HIV-1 infection despite frequent exposure. Previous
studies have shown associations between some HLA class I and
class II alleles
and resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. HLA-G is
a non-classical class I allele that is primarily involved in
mucosal and inflammatory
defence. In this study, we examined the influence of HLA-G genotypes
on the resistance to HIV-1 infection using a sequenced based
method. Our study showed that HLA-G plays an important role in resistance
/susceptibility
to HIV-1 infection. Since HLA-G is important in mucosal and inflammatory
responses, further studies will be conducted to better understand
HLA-G and mucosal defence. Will is currently amplifying and sequencing
the rest
of the ML cohort to determine their HLA-G genotype. After this
is completed, he will proceed with cloning the HLA-G gene to
determine
if the lab has
discovered new HLA-G alleles.
Email: willturk@hotmail.com
|
Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Summer Student |
|
Degrees obtained: |
- Third year of B.Sc (Hons) Microbiology-University of Manitoba
|
Current Project: |
SNP genotyping and association with HIV-1 resistance
and susceptibility
|
About:
Shelley is currently in her second co-op work term at the NML and her 3rd year of an Honours
Microbiology degree at the U of M. She is genotyping members of the ML Pumwani Sex Worker
cohort for a certain SNP that may be related to HIV resistance. Once genotyped, the data
collected will be analyzed to see if there are correlations between genotype and HIV resistance.
Email:umpet244@cc.umanitoba.ca
|
Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Position: |
Summer Student |
|
Degrees obtained: |
- Third year of B.Sc Microbiology-University of Manitoba
|
Current Project: |
Genotyping and sequencing of a SNP related to
HIV-1 resistence
|
About:
Sarah is currently in her second co-op work term at the NML and in her
3rd year of a Microbiology degree at the U of M. She is sequencing, and
genotyping members of the ML Pumwani Sex Worker cohort for a certain SNP that
may be related to HIV-1 resistance. Data collected will be analyzed for
correlations between genotype and HIV resistance. Further directions may lead
to genotyping the SNP with the MCH and Kindred cohorts.
Email:ummurre0@cc.umanitoba.ca
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Co-Supervisor: |
Dr. T. Blake Ball
|
|
Position: |
Summer Student |
|
Degrees obtained: |
- Third year of B.Sc (Hons) Microbiology - University of Manitoba
|
Current Project: |
IRF-1 and HIV resistance
|
About:
IRF-1
is an interferon regulatory transcription factor. In HIV infected
persons it can act as a transcriptional activator, increasing viral
replication. Ben is sequencing the IRF-1 gene of Kenyan sex-trade
workers in order to locate a polymorphism associated with HIV
resistance. After
finishing his degree, Ben plans to continue on to graduate studies. As
of now, he is interested in studying protein structure and function.
Email:bennbe@hotmail.com
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Supervisor: |
Dr. Frank Plummer
|
|
Co-Supervisor: |
Dr. Maritim Songok
|
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Position: |
Summer Student |
|
Degrees obtained: |
- 3rd Bsc Biochemistry- University of Winnipeg
|
Current Project: |
DPP4 sequencing
|
About:
Winnie is currently doing her 3yr of Biochemistry at the University of Winnipeg.
She is working under the supervision of Dr Adrienne Meyers in sequencing the protease region
of HIV-1 collected from members of the Pumwani sex worker cohort in Nairobi, Kenya to characterize
the resistance profile that they are developing to the antiretroviral therapy (ART).
She plans to continue on to graduate studies in HIV research work with the Pumwani cohort.
Email:karesh86@yahoo.com
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