University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Microbiology & ImmunologyKS Immune Dynamics Lab
Dirk P Dittmer · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Dirk Dittmer's lab focuses on studying Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), a common cancer in people living with HIV. The research aims to understand how antiretroviral therapy (ART) affects the development of KS, particularly in the oral cavity. By investigating the interactions between HIV, KS, and the immune system, the lab seeks to identify new biomarkers that can help determine the best treatment options for patients.
Kaposi SarcomaHIVantiretroviral therapyviral pathogenesisbiomarkersKSHVoral healthclinical trialsimmune responsechemotherapy
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the effect of ART on Kaposi sarcoma in HIV-positive patients.
AIM 02Identify novel biomarkers for Kaposi Sarcoma disease progression.
AIM 03Analyze the relationship between KSHV latency and HIV infection levels.
AIM 04Evaluate the efficacy of different treatments for HIV-related Kaposi Sarcoma.
AIM 05Understand the oral health implications of Kaposi Sarcoma in immunocompromised individuals.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRcell culturemouse modelsflow cytometrybiopsy techniquesgenomic analysisclinical data analysisRNA extractionimmunological assaysbiological marker identification
Output against the department
Publications483top 6% of dept.28th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations14ktop 28% of dept.138th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.