Dr. Andrea Raymond investigates the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in viral pathology, regulation of the anti-viral immune responses, and substance use disorders (SUDs). The Raymond lab focuses on the smallest EVs, exosomes opiate SUD.
For ten years, Raymond has studied the intersections of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1(HIV-1) replication/pathology, HIV-associated cancers, SUDs, and exosomal extracellular vesicles(xEVs). She investigates the role of EVs in HIV neuropathology and seeks to identify an EV-based biosignature or biomarkers of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment. Raymond also explores the nanotherapeutic potential of xEV-based strategies to treat HIV-1 associated neuropathology and cancers. She conducts in vitro and ex vivo experiments designed to characterize the impact of SUDs (i.e., Opiates/Cocaine/THC) and HIV-1 on content/cargo of xEVs and their subsequent effect on cells of Nervous and Immune systems.
Her experimental systems include the use of:
- Multiplexed arrays (NanoString Technology)
- Nanotherapeutics/Personalized Nanomedicine
- Mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- Flow cytometry
- In vitro experimental systems of HIV infection/Blood-Brain-Barrier transwell models
- Software analysis to identify xEV Biomarker or Biosignatures: BioPlat and Ingenuity
The Raymond lab is designed to train undergraduate, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows in immunology, virology, cancer, and exosome biogenesis with an emphasis on anti-viral immunity, HIV and HIV-associated comorbidities, and substance use disorders.
Andrea D. Raymond, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine. Her lab is located on the 4th floor of Academic Health Center 1.
A laboratory focused on the characterization of extracellular vesicles(EVs) roles in anti-viral immunity, HIV-associated neuropathology and cancers, and substance use disorders.