Prof. Dr. Alexandra Trkola

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

A main focus of our research is dedicated to unraveling the processes that steer broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAbs) development in natural HIV-1 infection to guide HIV vaccine development. In this context we analyze factors that contribute to bnAb development, explore the interplay of infecting virus and antibody develop over the course of the infection, study the mechanisms and determinants of neutralization efficacy, and investigate the fate of B cells in HIV-1 infection. In a second line of research we use the knowledge on natural occurring bnAbs and the viral Envelope that evoked them to develop Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) based inhibitors of HIV-1 entry that mimic bnAbs and immunogens capable of inducing bnAb responses.

Special Expertise

HIV-1
Neutralizing antibodies
Humoral immune response
Vaccine

Member of Collaborative/interdisciplinary Research Consortia

Network Infection and Immunity Zurich