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UF Health University of Florida
College of Veterinary Medicine UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA
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Ayalew Mergia

Ayalew Mergia,

Professor

Department: Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology
Business Phone: (352) 294-4139
Business Email: mergiaa@ufl.edu

On This Page

Accomplishments

  1. Professorship Award

    University of Florida Research Foundation

  2. The C. E. Corrnelius Young Investigator Award

    University of Florida

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught

  1. VME6933 – Seminar in Infectious Diseases and Experimental Pathology

    College of Veterinary Medicine

  2. VEM5131 – Vet Molecular Biology

    College of Veterinary Medicine

  3. VME6464 – Molecular Pathogenesis

    College of Veterinary Medicine

  4. VME6934 – Topics in Veterinary Medical Sciences

    College of Veterinary Medicine

  5. VME6905 – Problems in Veterinary Medical Sciences

    College of Veterinary Medicine

Research Profile

The overall research interest in the Mergia laboratory is to develop novel antiviral therapy for immunodeficiency viruses. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has an extraordinary survival advantage, confounding existing therapies. With a short generation time, variable antigenicity, and a large number of infective virions, it is hardly surprising that despite the development of anti-viral pharmaceutical compounds, we have not managed to cure HIV infection. Novel antiviral therapy, specifically the insertion of genes which endow lymphohematopoietic cells with life-long protection against lentivirus infections, offers a fresh approach to combating HIV infection. We are developing novel, safe and efficient vectors based on a foamy virus to deliver the antiviral genes into relevant cells. Through these novel vectors, antiviral strategies and using animal models for AIDS we will be able to more rapidly determine the efficacy of gene therapy for treatment of HIV infection.

Another area of interest is the role of caveolin in HIV replication. We have determined that caveolin inhibits the HIV replication by transcription repression and modulation of virus production. Studies are in progress to understand the detailed molecular mechanisms of the role caveolin 1 in virus replications and address if it can be utilized as host-targeted intervention therapeutics for HIV and other viruses.

Areas of Interest

  • Gene therapy
  • Retroviruses

Publications

Academic Articles

Grants

  1. Rapid detection of Hepatitis C virus using CRISPR/Cas

    Role:
    Co-Investigator
    Funding:
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID

  2. Identification of potent cross neutralizing Dengue antibodies using single-cell technology

    Role:
    Co-Investigator
    Funding:
    NATL INST OF HLTH NIAID

  3. UF Health Cancer Center Pilot Project Grants funded through the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers Program

    Role:
    Project Manager
    Funding:
    UF HEALTH SHANDS HOSPITAL

Education

  1. Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology

    University of California, Davis

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 294-4139
Emails:
Business:
mergiaa@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 110880
 GAINESVILLE FL 32611
Business Street:
V3152; 1017
 GAINESVILLE FL 326110880