Assoc ProfessorVirginie Gautier

HIV CURE Research: Persisting latent HIV reservoirs are one of the remaining barriers to the eradication of HIV from patients despite otherwise effective antiretroviral drug treatments. In an effort to accelerate HIV cure research, we have implemented a molecular pathway-driven translational research platform to develop innovative alternatives to HIV Cure approaches using the host-virus interface to unveil the epigenetic, post-transcriptional and translational blocks, and key immunometabolic junctions controlling the persistence of these viral reservoirs and identify new therapeutic targets for intervention. Dr Gautier coordinated the Horizon 2020 EU4HIVCURE research programme (2016-2020), which aimed to accelerate HIV cure research in Europe. This programme facilitated dynamic collaborations between academic researchers and infectious disease clinicians across Europe and Canada, leading to the development of new HIV cure research programmes. Her leadership was recognized with the Champion of EU Research Award in 2017, and the programme was featured in the EU CORDIS Research*eu magazine .

Pathogen Y/X Discovery: Dr Gautier is a co-PI in the One Health – All Ireland for European Surveillance (OH-ALLIES) programme, funded by EU4Health and coordinated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The OH-ALLIES project unites experts across disciplines using the "One Health" approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to tackle cross-border pathogens. She leads the Work Package “Establish an Integrated Surveillance System for Rapid Pathogen Y Discovery”, which focuses on identifying (re)-emerging virus with pandemic potential in domestic (Sheep, Cattle, Pigs) and wildlife terrestrial animals (Bird of prey, foxes, and badgers) with metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS). These efforts are vital for early detection and response to potential outbreaks, with significant implications for public health, agriculture, and wildlife conservation.

SARS-CoV-2 Translational Research: UCD CEPHR was selected as the central laboratory for immune assays in the EU VACCELERATE clinical research network, which coordinates COVID-19 vaccine trials in Europe. Prof Gautier’s team developed and conducted SARS-CoV-2 micro-neutralisation assays to measure vaccine effectiveness and neutralisation titres against various SARS-CoV-2 variants. This work is crucial for understanding vaccine efficacy and informing future pandemic preparedness .