News Article

Edison State College Professor to Speak at Conference in Malaysia

Apr 30, 2013

Edison State College Microbiology Professor, Dr. Robert Furler is going to Malaysia. He was awarded a scholarship to present his research with the UCLA AIDS Institute at the HIV Cure Symposium and International AIDS Conference from June 29 through July 3.   The 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2013) is organized by the IAS, in partnership with The Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA).

Dr. Furler’s research focuses on the Nef protein, which is one of the main proteins in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).  HIV infects cells that are central to the immune system, and the immune system protects the body from dangerous microbes like viruses, bacteria, and fungi.  After HIV destroys the immune system, the individual is more susceptible to normal infections.  This research investigates Nef, which is one of the proteins used by HIV to evade the immune system.  The Nef protein is a critical component of HIV which helps the virus hide from the normal immune system. 

“We characterized an altered form of Nef that causes less disease than the normal Nef,” said Dr. Furler.  “Understanding the structure and function of the Nef protein will hopefully lead to future medicines that stop the virus in its tracks."

Dr. Furler received his Bachelor of Science degree in Cell & Molecular Biology with a Minor in Chemistry from San Francisco State University and his Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics from the University of California.  His work has been published in a variety of professional publications, and he has also received several scholarships to international seminars and professional events.

Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Edison State College is Southwest Florida’s largest, most accessible and affordable institution of higher education. Proud to be tobacco-free, Edison State serves more than 24,000 students across five counties and through Edison Online.

About the IAS:

(Courtesy of http://www.ias2013.org)

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world’s leading independent association of HIV professionals, with over 16,000 members in 196 countries working at all levels of the global response to HIV/AIDS. IAS members represent scientists, clinicians, public health and community practitioners on the frontlines of the epidemic. The IAS is the custodian of the biennial International AIDS Conference and the host of the IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention.

Last Updated: April 30, 2013