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• HIV Research
• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Susana Valente is Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Florida's UF Scripps Biomedical Research institute, with joint appointments at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute and The Scripps Research Institute. Her research focuses on HIV molecular virology and therapeutic strategies for viral eradication. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Microbiology-Virology from the University of Paris Diderot (2002), Master's degrees in Biotechnology from De Montfort University and Biochemistry from University of Paris Diderot, and a Bachelor's in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology from New University of Lisbon. Dr. Valente's work centers on host-virus interactions in HIV replication and latency, pioneering the 'block-and-lock' cure strategy using compounds like didehydro-cortistatin A (dCA) to suppress viral reactivation. Her lab identifies critical host factors (e.g., p32 chaperone, p400 chromatin remodeler) that regulate HIV transcription, aiming to develop therapies targeting cellular mechanisms without compromising cell viability. This approach addresses drug resistance and aims for functional HIV cure. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in HIV transcriptional control (73%), chromatin remodeling (40%), and latency-reversal therapeutics (60%), with significant cross-over into SARS-CoV-2 research (20%) during the pandemic. The work spans virology, molecular biology, and pharmacology with strong translational emphasis. Major scientific awards include: NIAID MERIT Award (2022) Landenberger Foundation Award for early career investigators (2010-2012) NIAID Career Transition Award (K22) (2007-2008) amfAR Fellowship (1998-2002) She actively mentors researchers in the Valente Lab and leads substantial grant funding including the HOPE Martin Delaney Collaboratory for HIV Cure (UM1), multiple NIH R01 awards on HIV transcriptional control, and projects developing Tat degraders and brain organoid models for neuroHIV research. Current grants focus on therapeutic disruption of HIV transcription, block-and-lock agents, and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. The Valente Lab at UF Scripps' Jupiter campus operates as a multidisciplinary research hub investigating host-pathogen interactions, with active collaborations across virology, immunology, and nanotechnology fields to develop novel HIV prevention and cure strategies.

Jodi L. McBrideView profile

Associate Professor

• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Gene therapy
• Huntington's disease
• +7 more

Jodi L. McBride, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. Her laboratory is situated at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), where she leads research focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Huntington's and Batten diseases. Dr. McBride has established herself as a leading expert in creating non-human primate models of neurodegenerative disorders and developing gene therapy strategies to treat them. Dr. McBride received her B.S. from the University of Illinois in 1998 and her Ph.D. from Rush University Medical Center in 2005. She completed post-doctoral training in Gene Therapy at the University of Iowa (2005-2008) followed by post-doctoral work in Neuroscience at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (2008-2010). Dr. McBride's research program centers on modeling and treating neurodegenerative diseases. Her expertise in viral gene delivery has enabled the creation of a rhesus macaque model of Huntington's disease that closely replicates the neuropathology, transcript dysregulation and behavioral manifestations of the disease. She also discovered and characterized the first non-human primate model of Batten disease, where CLN7 mutant Japanese macaques show lysosomal storage accumulation, progressive blindness, tremor and ataxia. Her work focuses on developing novel biomarkers of disease expression (imaging and biofluids) and assessing gene therapy strategies using novel viral vector serotypes to optimize delivery of therapeutic genes to affected brain regions. Analysis of Dr. McBride's recent publications reveals a strong focus on translational neuroscience, with emphasis on developing and refining non-human primate models of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Huntington's and Batten diseases. Her work spans multiple disciplines including gene therapy, neuroimaging, biomarker development, and neuropathology. A significant portion of her research involves optimizing viral vector delivery systems for treating neurological disorders, with particular attention to species differences in biodistribution and efficacy. Dr. McBride has received numerous honors and awards for her work, including: Keynote Address at the Huntington's Disease Society of America conference (2008) OHSU Technology Transfer and Business Development Award: Top Industry Collaboration (2015) OHSU Technology Transfer and Business Development Awards for Recognized Industry Collaboration (2016, 2017) OHSU Brain Institute Festival of Lights Award (2019) Nomination for the NINDS Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship (2021) As an Associate Editor for Molecular Therapy and an active member of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy and the Society for Neuroscience (including the Oregon Chapter), Dr. McBride plays a significant role in the neuroscience community. Her collaborative approach is evident in her extensive publication record, which includes numerous multi-institutional projects focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. Dr. McBride's laboratory at the Oregon National Primate Research Center represents a critical hub for translational neuroscience research, bridging basic science discoveries with potential clinical applications. Her work with non-human primate models provides invaluable insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic approaches that cannot be fully replicated in rodent models, making significant contributions to the field of neurodegenerative disease research.

• Animal cell culture engineering
• Therapeutic protein production
• Viral vector production for gene therapy
• +5 more

Professor Gyun Min Lee is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), where he leads the Animal Cell Engineering Lab. His research focuses on developing advanced mammalian cell systems for therapeutic protein and viral vector production through innovative engineering approaches. Dr. Lee earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, providing him with a strong foundation at the intersection of engineering principles and biological systems. His technical expertise spans from molecular biology to bioprocess engineering, enabling comprehensive solutions for biopharmaceutical production challenges. Professor Lee's research program centers on animal cell engineering for biopharmaceutical applications. His team utilizes synthetic biology approaches including artificial promoters and transcriptional regulation to develop improved mammalian cell lines. A major focus involves using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and site-specific gene integration to construct cell libraries for discovering novel engineering targets. Additional research areas include cell line development platforms, bioprocess optimization, apoptosis and autophagy studies in production cell lines, proteomic analysis of host cell proteins, and strategies for improving difficult-to-express protein production. Analysis of Professor Lee's recent publication record reveals a strong emphasis on genome editing technologies for cell line improvement, particularly using CRISPR-based screening methods in CHO and HEK293 cells. His work bridges fundamental molecular mechanisms with practical bioprocess applications, demonstrating consistent innovation in enhancing productivity while maintaining product quality in therapeutic protein manufacturing. The research shows increasing sophistication in systems-level approaches to cell engineering. Professor Lee actively mentors researchers in the Animal Cell Engineering Lab, guiding projects that address critical challenges in biopharmaceutical production. His research is supported by various funding sources focused on advancing cell engineering technologies for therapeutic applications. The Animal Cell Engineering Lab maintains state-of-the-art facilities for mammalian cell culture, genetic engineering, and bioprocess development. The lab collaborates extensively with both academic and industry partners to translate basic research findings into practical applications for the biopharmaceutical industry, contributing significantly to advancements in therapeutic protein and viral vector manufacturing.