Office:  3-28 Fabi Square

 

Tel: 12-420-6329

 

Fax: 12-362-5302

E-mail: wayne.barnes [at] up.ac.za

CD4+ T-Lymphocytes are the primary targets of HIV and are thus the most significant cellular indicators of disease progression. HIV infection results in a decrease in the number of CD4+ T cells and a slight increase in the number of CD3 and CD8 cells. Flow cytometry is a technology used to measure the relative size and granularity of cells by interrogating cells flowing in a liquid stream by a laser. It is the standard method used to monitor CD4 counts. By measuring the physical and functional properties of cells such as receptor expression, cell size etc; it provides information about the effects and course of HIV infection as well as the efficacy of HIV treatments administered. We use multi-parametric flow cytometry analyses to examine cellular responses (i.e. cell viability and or death, proliferation etc) initiated during HIV infection. In addition, we also evaluate how these cellular processes are altered when novel compounds with possible anti-HIV activity are administered to cells. Besides monitoring cellular responses; specific cell populations can be sorted and used for subsequent experiments. Services are also rendered to other institutions and university based research groups that require flow cytometric analysis, exposing us to the vast applications and sample types that can be measured. So, just label your cells and the rest is sorted!