The Laboratory of Reproductive Biology in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at BUMC conducts research on immunology, sexually transmitted infections, and their effects on fertility.  Current projects include: defining mechanisms of cell-associated HIV-1 transmission, characterizing genital tract innate immune defense, and studies on HIV replication and drug resistance in the genital tract compartment. 

This basic research provides a foundation for the development of microbicides and vaccines to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV-1 and other pathogens.  The laboratory also conducts translational research, and enjoys collaborating with clinicians, residents and students on clinically-oriented projects.  We have conducted collaborative research on a wide range of clinical topics such as immunological mechanisms of recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia and infertility, and have pioneered three major clinical protocols:

1. a  technique for separating HIV from motile sperm (used for inseminating HIV- partners of HIV+ men,
2. a test for the sperm acrosome reaction (used for infertility diagnosis), and
3. a test for immunity to placental antigens (called the embryotoxic factor test, used in the evaluation of patients with recurrent miscarriage).