Seth Pincus, MD

Internship and Residency, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 1973-1975

Board Certification:
Pediatrics, 1983

The major interest of the Pincus laboratory is the antibody molecule: structure-function relationships, its role in host-pathogen and autoimmune responses, and potential uses in the prevention and treatment of disease. We have ongoing funding from the National Institutes of Health, State of Louisiana, and private industry. Specific projects include:

1. 1. Anti-HIV immunotoxins as potential treatments and as probes of the cell biology of HIV infection. By conjugating anti-Env antibodies to toxins, we are able to kill HIV-infected cells.  Animal experiments suggest these agents are promising antivirals.
   In the process of developing these agents we have developed methodologies for studying HIV infection and the anti-HIV antibody response.
   We are using these techniques to study vaccine efficacy and the development of other anti-HIV agents.
   
    
2. We are developing new approaches to both immunization and treatment of group B streptococcal disease, the major cause of neonatal meningitis and sepsis. Vaccines are based upon peptides that mimic carbohydrate structures. Therapies involve the administration of monoclonal antibodies.
   
    
3. Mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization of biological toxins are under study. The answer is not as simple as you may think.