Area of Research: HIV/AIDS At the EVC, Dr. Richard Compans is studying certain surface glycoproteins expressed by HIV and their ability to elicit immune responses. By assembling virus-like particles bearing these proteins, it may be possible to create vaccines capable of inducing similar responses, thereby pre-arming the immune system against the virus. Dr. Compans also is exploring the possibility of using this approach to combat viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Ebola, Lassa, and Rift Valley fever. Dr. Compans is a Professor in (and former Chair of) the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the Emory University School of Medicine and is Director of the Influenza Pathogenesis & Immunology Research Center (IPIRC). Before coming to Emory in 1992, he was a professor in the microbiology department of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Compans received his Ph.D. from the Rockefeller University. Research
A major focus of our group is to develop virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine antigens which are effective in eliciting protective immune responses against viral infection. One project is focused on vaccines for HIV-1 prevention, with specific emphasis on inducing broadly reactive neutralizing antibody responses to primary HIV-1 isolates to prevent infection at mucosal surfaces. A second project is to develop safe and effective vaccines to prevent viral hemorrhagic fevers employing chimeric virus-like particles containing the envelope glycoproteins of Lassa Fever virus or Ebola virus on their surfaces. We are also developing novel VLP vaccines against Rift Valley Fever virus, an agent of high interest as a potential biological threat. In another
project, we are developing effective topical microbicides to
reduce the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
We have developed several lead compounds which exhibit strong
virucidal activity against HIV-1 and SIV. We are studying the
mechanisms of their virucidal action against HIV, and the ability
of the compounds to confer protection against SIV in a mucosal
challenge model.
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