Skip to Content

Programmes/ Projects Supported by ATF

2016

Programmes / Projects supported by the AIDS Trust Fund in January 2016

MSS 248 R
Application: Detection of HIV-1 minority drug-resistant and X4-topic variants by Next-Generation Sequencing to improve the prediction of clinical antiretroviral treatment outcome
(Executive Summary submitted by the applicant)
Applicant: Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong
Objectives: The study aims to detect the minority variants that are below 20% prevalence among HIV-1 patients in Hong Kong by:
  1. Establishing a NGS method and analysis expertise in this locality to detect low-level drug resistant quansispecies using pol gene and CXCR4 variants using env gene;
  2. Investigating the prevalence of low-level transmitted drug resistant quasispecies and CXCR4 variants among treatment-naïve patients and estimating the clinical impact of minor variants;
  3. Longitudinal monitoring of the relationship between drug resistant quasispecies, viral tropism and clinical responses among treatment-experienced patients who required or might have failed deep salvage therapy; and
  4. Building of laboratory and clinical capacity to apply NGS method in monitoring prognosis of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
Project Duration: April 2016 to March 2019
Contact Person: Dr. Yam Wing Cheong
Honorary Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology,
University Pathology Building,
Queen Mary Hospital Compound,
The University of Hong Kong,
Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2255 4821
Fax: 2855 1241