DEDICATION
This edition of Key Contacts is dedicated to HIV/AIDS researchers everywhere, especially to the scientists in Georgiawhose new vaccines,behavioral interventions, and treatments contribute hope to theworld of HIV.
Under the direction of
JamesW.CurranMD,MPH,Carlos del RioMD,and Eric Hunter PhD,Emory’s Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) facilitates the research ofmore than 250 faculty, research fellows,and
others.CFAR scientists havemademajor discoveries in determining,at themolecular level,howHIV infection occurs between couples and frommothers to babies;used that knowledge to build experimental vaccines against AIDS,one ofwhich is currently in Phase II trials (Harriet Robinson PhD); invented drug regimens that are used bymore than 90% of peoplewith HIV in the US (Raymond Schinazi PhD and Dennis Liotta PhD); and constructed highly effective behavioral interventions that have reduced transmission of HIVwithin couples in Africa bymore than 87% (Susan AllenMD,MPH).Thework done at CFAR’s ten research sites and labs, including those at theMorehouse School ofMedicine HIV/AIDS Research Group (basic science), the Emory Vaccine Center (basic science), the Hope Clinic (translational science), the Rollins School of Public Health (behavioral science),and the Grady Infectious Disease Program,EmoryMidtown Hospital,and the Veterans AffairsMedical Center (clinical science),has a single goal: to bring cutting-edge science to bear as a powerful tool in reducing theworldwide suffering caused by the AIDS pandemic.
The AIDS Research Consortiumof Atlanta (ARCA), founded in 1988,also provides a platformfor clinical drug and vaccine trials and prevention research through a network ofmore than 50 primary care physicians and five publicly funded health clinics inmetro
Atlanta.ARCA also offers community services such as free STD/HIV testing and risk-reduction
counseling.Principal InvestigatorMelanie ThompsonMD and the ARCA teamhave participated inmore than 300 clinical trials and contributed research data leading to FDA approval ofmore than 27 individual and combination drugs. ARCA is one of three sites in the country funded by CDC to design and conduct the first US safety study of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)with tenofovir. SEATEC,and ARCA,extend thanks to themore than 20,000 Atlantanswho have participated in its research programs and prevention services.
At the Veterans AffairsMedical Center in Decatur,veterans participate in research trials through the Infectious Disease Clinic,under the direction of David RimlandMD. This cohort of patients has been involved in longitudinal studies looking at trends in opportunistic infections, viral hepatitis,malignancies,andmetabolic abnormalities. They have participated in sentinel studies including SMART,FRAM,ESPRIT,and
OPTIMA.The center is one of eight VAMedical Centers in the large, longitudinal Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS).
Decades of rigorous research have reduced the chances that new infectionswill occur, improved the health of personswith HIV,and exploredways inwhich HIV can be eradicated froman infected person’s immune system.While a cure remains elusive,our scientific community’s unstinting search inspires us all.
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