Roles
Chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Director, Center for AIDS Research
Adrienne Arsht Endowed Chair in Pediatric Clinical Research
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Biography
Rana Chakraborty, M.D., D.Phil., is Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine and Jackson Health System in Miami, FL. His clinical focus includes expertise in the management of HIV in children and perinatal infections.
His NIH-funded laboratory investigates the impact of maternal infection on exposed infants specifically at the maternal-fetal interface. Pathogens of interest include HIV, cytomegalovirus, Zika virus, and more recently SARS-CoV-2. His current funded research portfolio also includes examining placental epigenetics in collaboration with Dr. Erica Johnson at Morehouse School of Medicine. In collaboration with Dr. Clive Gray at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Dr. Chakraborty is funded as an MPI through the Fogarty Institute at the NIH on a unique HIV training program: NexT generation traininG in HIV Research: Immunity in the First 1000 days in mother-infant dyadS” (TIGRIS). The program leverages existing NIH funding to investigate how HIV infection in pregnant women leads to adverse birth outcomes and ensuing pediatric immune dysfunction through rigorous clinical and basic science laboratory training of graduate students in South Africa, Benin, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda. The program will enhance HIV scientific research capacity in these countries.
Dr. Chakraborty previously chaired the Population Research in Infectious Diseases Study Section at the NIH and served on the Board of Directors at the Infectious Diseases Society of America. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
Licensures and Certifications
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Honors & Awards
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Research Interests
In humans, the hemochorial placenta is a unique temporary organ that forms during pregnancy to support fetal development, gaseous exchange, delivery of nutrition, removal of waste products and provides immune protection, while maintaining tolerance to the HLA-haploidentical fetus. In addition, the placenta provides a protective barrier to prevent the transmission of pathogens (i.e., viruses, bacteria, parasites) from mom to fetus. Although the cells of the placenta protect against most infections, pathogens like HIV, toxoplasma, Zika and CMV can cross the placenta resulting in detrimental outcomes to the developing fetus. The mechanisms these pathogens use to penetrate and replicate in the placenta are poorly understood. Previous data from our lab has demonstrated that fetal macrophages (Hofbauer cells) play an important role in the infection process. Therefore, the Chakraborty laboratory focuses on individual host cell-viral interactions within immune cell populations in the maternal decidua and villous (fetal) placenta. Studying these mechanisms could lead to the development of treatment, prevention, or diagnostic strategies to improve outcomes during pregnancy. Dr. Chakraborty’s current research investigates the role of maternal infection and associated inflammation on fetal and infant immunity. Dr. Chakraborty’s research portfolio also includes clinical research and serving as the Principal Investigator for PHACS studies, Surveillance Monitoring for ART Toxicities Study (SMARTT) and the Adolescent Master Protocol (AMP/AMP UP). -
Publications
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