Projects and Publications
Organotypic foreskin Model
In the Prodger Lab, we have developed a three-dimensional (3D) organotypic foreskin tissue model to investigate the complex interactions between the genital microbiome, epithelial barrier, and viral pathogens such as HIV and HPV. This in vitro model is generated using primary human foreskin cells to form full-depth tissues (containing a dermis and stratified epidermis) that closely mimic the native genital environment. By co-culturing these tissues with penile bacterial isolates and exposing them to sexually transmitted viruses, we can examine how microbial colonization influences epithelial integrity, immune activation, and viral entry. This model provides a controlled and physiologically relevant platform to dissect host–bacterial–viral interactions at the genital mucosa, with the goal of identifying microbial or epithelial factors that modulate infection susceptibility and inform new strategies for sexual health and disease prevention.
Primary 3D Nasal Model
We established a primary 3D human nasal epithelial model that enables the study of microbiome–epithelium–virus interactions under physiologically relevant conditions. Primary human nasal epithelial cells are cultured at an air–liquid interface, allowing the formation of a differentiated, mucociliary epithelium that closely mimics the native nasal environment. By co-culturing these epithelial tissues with key nasal bacterial isolates, we can explore how specific members of the nasal microbiota influence epithelial responses to viral infection, including barrier integrity, innate immune regulation, and viral replication. This system provides a controlled and physiologically relevant platform to dissect host–microbe–virus dynamics at the nasal mucosa, with the goal of identifying microbial or epithelial signatures that modulate susceptibility to respiratory viral infections and inform microbiome-based therapeutic strategies.
HIV Latent Reservoir
Our research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HIV-1 persistence and latency in underrepresented and underrecruited populations of people with HIV (PWH), including females and individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, who bear a disproportionate burden of the global HIV epidemic. Current work aims to elucidate how dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy influences viral persistence and susceptibility to latency reversal, and how menopause-associated immunological changes impact reservoir size and inducibility in female PWH. Our findings highlight subtype-specific reservoir dynamics, which are critical for the development and evaluation of broadly effective HIV cure strategies beyond subtype B.
Neovaginal Health for Transfeminine People (NEVAH)
