Éric A. Cohen

Éric A. Cohen is a Full Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, and Director of the Human Retrovirology Research Unit at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM). He also serves as Vice-Dean of Faculty Affairs and Academic Development at the Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Cohen is recipient of the Université de Montréal – IRCM Chair of Excellence in HIV Research and leads the Canadian HIV Cure Research Consortium (CanCURE).

Dr. Cohen earned his B.Sc. in Biochemistry from McGill University in 1981 and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Montreal in 1987. He completed postdoctoral training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School under William A. Haseltine, where he discovered the HIV-1 accessory proteins Vpr and Vpu.

His research focuses on understanding HIV-host interactions that govern viral replication, persistence, and transmission. Dr. Cohen's laboratory investigates the functional role of accessory proteins Vpr, Vpu, and Nef in HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis, using human cell lines, primary human immune cells, biological material from HIV-infected individuals, and humanized mouse models. His work has significantly contributed to understanding how Vpu counteracts BST2 (Tetherin), an interferon-regulated host factor that inhibits HIV release.

Analysis of Dr. Cohen's recent publications reveals a strong focus on HIV persistence mechanisms, particularly in myeloid cells and tissue reservoirs. His research increasingly integrates SARS-CoV-2 studies, examining viral entry mechanisms and host immune responses. There's a notable emphasis on microRNA regulation of HIV infection, viral reservoir characterization, and development of strategies for HIV cure.

• Marcel-Piché prize (2012)
• Pierre-Bois prize (2014)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2016)
• Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (2016)
• Canada Research Chair in Human Retrovirology
• Université de Montréal – IRCM Chair of Excellence in HIV Research

Dr. Cohen has secured substantial funding for HIV cure research, including multiple CIHR grants totaling over $10 million. He has mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who now lead independent research careers. As Director of CanCURE, he coordinates a pan-Canadian research network focused on developing strategies for HIV cure, with particular emphasis on myeloid cell reservoirs.

His laboratory at the IRCM includes senior researchers, associate researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students working collaboratively on various aspects of HIV-host interactions. The team utilizes advanced techniques including humanized mouse models, primary cell cultures, and molecular virology approaches to study HIV persistence mechanisms and develop therapeutic interventions.