Dr. Gorantla's Laboratory

Research Goals
Collaborators
Funding
Techniques used in the laboratory
Personnel
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Dr. Gorantla's biographical information
Lab Phone: 402-559-1784

Research Goals

Collaborators

Larisa Poluektova, MD, PhD, UNMC

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Funding

Humanized Mice as a Tool to Monitor of HIV Brain Reservoirs and Effects of Substance Abuse
PI: Gorantla, S.
Source: NIH/NIDA 5R33DA041018
Proposes to adapt a humanized mouse model to validate the role of astrocytes and microglia as HIV reservoir s in the brain. Use of the human IL-34-expressing mouse as a driver for enhanced development and engraftment of human neural progenitor cells into glial and innate human immune cells provides the potential for development of a functional model with which to study HIV reservoirs in the brain and the effect of drugs of abuse.

NanoART Manufacture, Delivery and Pharmacokinetics for Optimizing Drug Adherence
PI: H. Gendelman; Animal Core: S. Gorantla
Source: NIH/NIDA 5P01DA028555
This is an integrative cross approach translational and multi-investigator program grant seeking to develop nanoformulated antiretroviral drug therapy from the bench to the patient.

Role of pannexin-1 hemichannels in NeuroAIDS
PI: Gorantla, S.
Source: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Chronic HIV infection and Aging in NeuroAIDS (CHAIN)Center
MPI: S. Buch and H. Fox; Cell-Tissue-Animal Core Leader: S. Gorantla
Source: NIH/NIMH 3P30MH062261
This is a Center grant to provide Administrative and Core Support for scientists investigating NeuroAIDS.

PDGF-CC Mediated Reversal of Synaptodendritic Injury in HAND
PI: S. Buch; Co-I: S. Gorantla
5R01MH106425
The overarching goal of this application is to explore the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-CC in reversing synaptodendritic injury & the associated cognitive decline, both of which comprise the hallmark features of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).  Combinatorial in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo approaches are proposed to test the efficacy of PDGF-CC as a therapeutic agent.

Novel Kinase and Nanoformulated Protease Inhibitors for Eradication of CNS HIV-1
PI: H. Gelbard, University of Rochester;  Co-I: S. Gorantla
NIH/NIMH 5R01 MH104147
This proposal is designed to develop a means to eradicate viral infection from its CNS reservoir. The overarching idea is to facilitate crystalline nano formulated antiretroviral drug entry into monocyte-macrophage within late and recycling endosomes by affecting/harnessing phagolysosomal fusion events through the new kinase inhibitor URMC-099. The research is divided equally amongst University of Nebraska and University of Rochester scientists experienced in virology, immunology, pharmacology and neuroscience to pool resources towards a functional HIV-1 cure.

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Techniques used in the laboratory

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Personnel

Lili Guo Research Technologist II
Li Wu Research Technologist II