University of Colorado Boulder · BiochemistryHIV Research and Animal Models Lab
Sara Sawyer · Boulder, Colorado
Research Focus
Dr. Sara Sawyer's lab focuses on combating HIV/AIDS through innovative research that seeks to develop a new animal model for studying the virus. This model aims to provide critical insights into virus behavior and how it spreads, which will help in the search for effective vaccines and cures. The lab's work is intended to address the limitations present in current research methods, ultimately aiming to save lives affected by this global health crisis.
HIVanimal modelvaccine developmentviral geneticsimmunity
Research Aims
5AIM 01Develop a new animal model for studying HIV infections.
AIM 02Characterize host-virus interactions using the new model organism.
AIM 03Optimize HIV strains for binding with host factors.
AIM 04Assess the effectiveness of HIV-neutralizing antibodies.
AIM 05Investigate immune responses and vaccine efficacy in the new model.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureanimal handlingvirus isolationmolecular cloningimmunohistochemistryPCRbioinformaticsantibody testingflow cytometry
Output against the department
Publications124bottom 34% of dept.264th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.8kbottom 33% of dept.268th of 402
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.