U of M prof leads in HIV research

Vaccine may be developed from natural immunity

Tessa Vanderhart, Staff

Research at the University of Manitoba may soon create a vaccine for HIV, according to Dr. Frank Plummer.

Plummer, Canada Research Chair in resistance and susceptibility to infections, along with his team of researchers, has been examining the immunological basis of the virus .

The research was sparked in 1995, when a group of 600 prostitutes in Nairobi, Kenya were tested for HIV. Only two-thirds of them tested positive. And the test results showed that the longer each woman had been working in the sex trade, the less likely she was to contract HIV.

This led Plummer to wonder: “What is it that protects these women? Why them?”

By understanding what protects these women — which Plummer suggested may be a natural protective immunity — the genetic basis of what keeps these women HIV-free can be solved.

With continued research, a vaccine for HIV could be only years away, which could put a stop to the global pandemic of AIDS.

On Nov. 30, Plummer’s team was recognized for receiving a Grand Challenges in Global Health award this year, worth U.S. $8.3 million. These awards are supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as Canadian Institutes in Health Research.

Plummer also received a St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation’s 2005 International Award on Nov. 30.

He noted that the research being conducted in his lab is breaking international ground in natural immunity. Also, thanks to the financial support of the Grand Challenges award and the social support of the St. Boniface award, his team will be able to “answer the questions we want to.”

He added that interest in HIV/AIDS research and optimism over the potential for a vaccine have both waxed and waned over the years, but now his research is set for at least the next five.

Smallpox vaccines were discovered in much the same way, Plummer added — researchers noticed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox became immune from cowpox.

In June, 43 research projects in 33 countries were announced as winners of the Grand Challenges awards, which are supported by almost $500 million.