Editor Profile

Vikas Saxena

University/Organization: University of Maryland

Country: United States

 Biography

Dr. Vikas Saxena committed for scientific endeavors towards ameliorating infectious diseases amongst animals and humans by using immunological approaches. During his master’s in veterinary anatomy he analyzed anatomical conformities of the salivary glands of goat by using light microscopy (Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2007). During his PhD dissertation research under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Lai, he analyze role of host cellular factors, by using several biochemical and molecular virology related tools. He identified that annexin A2 serve as a scaffold for viral non-structural proteins on lipid raft region, where the HCV replication complex is assembled (Journal of Virology, 2012). Further, using his expertise in confocal and electron microscopy and by developing an in-vitro culture model for HCV RNA replication we elucidated mechanism of HCV release via exosome (Plos One, 2014). During his postdoctoral training with Dr. Christopher Walker he helped in a study to analyze escape mutations acquired by cell culture-derived HCV during persistent infection in a chimpanzee and thus highlighted the possible pattern of molecular evolution of a poorly fit virus (Journal of Virology, 2014). Besides, He have also developed rhesus macaque model to study T cell mediated control of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. By using IFN-γ spot forming assay (ELISPOT) and flow cytometry based techniques, identified HEV specific CD8+ T cells exerting control over persistent viral infection. The exact mechanism underlying viral persistence is under evaluation. Presently, with Dr Emma Teixeiro, He exploring mechanism involved in the development of memory CD8 T cells. By using Listeria monocytogenes and transgenic mice we elucidated importance of T cell receptor (TCR) governed signaling mechanism involving NFkB-Pim-1-Eomes axis, which is important for the fitness of memory CD8 T cells (Under revision, PNAS, 2016). Also, elucidated mechanism of TCR and pro-inflammatory cytokine receptor signaling cooperation, (Journal of Immunology, 2016).