Investigation of the central nervous system as a potential HIV reservoir during combination antiretroviral therapy

By whole genome deep-sequencing we will characterize the viral population as present in cerebral spinal fluid, plasma and brain biopsies obtained from patients on cART with (un-)detectable plasma viral RNA. Replication potential of these characterized viruses will be analyzed in brain-derived microglia, microglia cell lines, T-cells and cerebral organoids. Outcome of this study will provide novel insights in the role of the CNS as an HIV reservoir and will help to target future HIV eradication strategies.

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Stephanie Gumbs