Dr. Kaul’s laboratory studies at the cellular and molecular level how infections, co-morbidity factors, such as drug abuse, and the responding immune system can induce inflammation and degenerative diseases.
Dr. Kaul’s expertise and interests lie in the following research areas: 1 Molecular mechanisms and models of inflammatory, infectious and degenerative pathologies, such as HIV-1 disease and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), and the effects of co-morbidities, such as Methamphetamine use: Mechanisms of neuronal injury and death, and opposing cytoprotective effects of chemokines, cytokines, and anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective drugs, including highly active anti-retroviral therapies (HAART). Signal transduction pathways in neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity and protection. 2 Proteomic analysis and search for mechanisms, biomarkers and therapeutic targets of infectious pathologies, inflammation and degenerative diseases, in particular HIV-associated dementia, using in vitro and in vivo models, and CSF, serum, cells and post mortem tissue specimens from patients. 3 Physiology and pathophysiology of chemokines, cytokines and complement components and their receptors in the immune and central nervous system. 4 Differentiation and function of neural cell types, monocytes/macrophages/microglia and lymphocytes with particular consideration of chronic inflammatory and degenerative processes and diseases.