Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, Ph.D, awarded $100,000 grant for HIV research FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
The Campbell Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding HIV/AIDS research, has awarded a $100,000 grant to Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, Ph.D., assistant professor in Wistar’s Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center in Philadelphia.
Dr. Abdel-Mohsen is studying the role of altered host glycosylation (the process of adding sugar molecules to proteins and its effect on immune function), in the development of HIV-associated comorbidities, specifically those related to inflammation, such as heart disease and dementia.
He and his team will test the hypothesis that the type of carbohydrate structures attached to cells contributes to the increase in chronic inflammation that leads to higher rates of non-AIDS inflammation-related illnesses.
“I want to thank The Campbell Foundation for its insight in recognizing this research — part of the emerging, mostly unexplored, field of glycobiology,” said Dr. Abdel-Mohsen. “Thanks to the recent developments in glycobiological technologies, we can now tackle the mechanism and consequence of altered glycosylation patterns and what this means for HIV patients.”
Because most patients diagnosed with HIV infection are on antiretroviral therapy and their HIV viral load is undetectable, studies that are designed to limit the progression of neurologic complications or cardiovascular disease play a critical role in HIV-related research.
“Our focus has always been not just on finding a cure, but also on helping those living with HIV through novel research,” said The Campbell Foundation’s Executive Director Ken Rapkin. “This is a novel proposal to look at the role of glycans in HIV inflammatory disease. The preliminary results are compelling and we are pleased to be able to fund this research so that Dr. Abdel-Mohsen and his team can continue their work to address chronic inflammation and associated comorbidities in those living with HIV/AIDS.”
About The Campbell Foundation
The Campbell Foundation was established in 1995 by the late Richard Campbell Zahn as a private, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting clinical, laboratory-based research into the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. It focuses its funding on supporting alternative, nontraditional avenues of research. In its 23nd year, the Campbell Foundation has given away $10.8 million dollars, with about $1.2 million going to direct services.
About The Wistar Institute
The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org. | 
