Md Mahamud-ur Rashid

Many viruses trigger the blood clotting system in an infected person, causing a wide range of clinical complications; from heart disease to bleeding. A breakthrough was made by the Pryzdial lab who showed that a clotting activator called tissue factor is hijacked by these germs and found integrated into the surface to not only contribute to clotting, but also increase infection. My project focuses on understanding the role of tissue factor in replication and pathogenesis of HIV, which is a major global problem and thrombosis is a primary challenge to these patients’ life expectancy. In addition to HIV, the Pryzdial lab has preliminary data for five virus types that supports the hypothesis that any virus with an envelope can acquire tissue factor, including the COVID virus, hepatitis, Zika, and dengue, to mention a few. Since infectible cells carrying tissue factor are widespread, the tissue factor axis presents a broad-spectrum anti-viral target for the first time. Thus, I am thrilled by the possibility that my research holds the key to solve a critical gap in global healthcare.