University of Maryland, Baltimore · Biomedical EngineeringWalczak Neuroimmunology Lab
Piotr Walczak · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Dr. Piotr Walczak's lab focuses on developing innovative strategies to combat chronic HIV infections, particularly within the brain. They are exploring the use of genetically engineered glial progenitor cells that can release neutralizing antibodies directly in the brain to tackle HIV reservoirs that are difficult to treat with conventional therapies. This research aims to improve the health of people living with HIV and address complications such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
HIVCNS reservoirglial progenitor cellsantibody therapyblood-brain barrierHIV-associated neurocognitive disordergene therapysystemic deliverystem cell transplantationneuroprotection
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the effectiveness of genetically engineered glial progenitor cells in delivering HIV-neutralizing antibodies to the brain.
AIM 02Evaluate the impact of sustained antibody release on HIV replication in brain tissues.
AIM 03Explore the potential of glial progenitor cells to mitigate HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
AIM 04Develop protocols for image-guided intra-arterial administration of stem cells.
AIM 05Assess the long-term effects of stem cell transplantation on HIV reservoirs in the CNS.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturegenetic engineeringintra-arterial injectionanimal modelsHIV modeling in miceimmunohistochemistryflow cytometryWestern blotimaging techniques (MRI, PET)RNA sequencing
Output against the department
Publications266top 37% of dept.218th of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.8ktop 35% of dept.210th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
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