Research Interests

Dr. Sharma's research interests are in studying the mechanisms of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) associated B-cell lymphoma development with emphasis on Cytokine modulation.  The Potential Role of HIV-1tat in modulating cytokines in AIDS Associated Diseases are summarized in the image.   (Click image for larger view)  Dr. Sharma's group identified a novel transcription factor, MNP.  Current research interest is in cloning this novel factor, which could shed light on lineage development and tumorigenesis.

Projects

1. Mechanisms of Lymphomagenesis in AIDS 
2. CYTOKINE Modulation by HIV-1 tat. and HTLV-1 tax. genes 
3. Studies on the novel transcription factors Monocyte Nuclear Protein (MNP) Family 
4. Diagnostic Markers for Rheumatoid Arthritis
 

Master’s Thesis Projects Supervised as Advisor/Committee Chair
at University of West Florida:

 Interleukin-15 expression in tumor-derived B-cells, Richard A. Decker. Degree awarded, 1998.

Constitutive expression of Interleukin-16 in AIDS associated Burkitt’s lymphoma cell lines, Jimmie D. Vail. Degree awarded, 1998.

Modulation of tumor necrosis factors (TNF) and receptors (TNF-R) by human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-I) tax, Cynthia C. May. Degree awarded, 1999.

B-cell Interleukin-8, Li Zhang. Degree awarded, 2000.

Human B-cell Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1b, Neil Clark. Degree awarded, 2001.

Cytotoxicity of Prototheca Wickerhammii, a colorless alga, for Human T- and B-cell lines. Sonya Urnowey. Degree awarded, 2001. (Committee member)

Interleukin-18 expression in human B-cell lines, Lorey L. Shelly. Degree Awarded, 2002.

Autocrine Role of Interleukin-10 in AIDS-Associated Human B-Cell Lines, Yi-Chun Huang. Degree Awarded, 2004.

B-cell IL-15 and IL-15 Receptors, Kana Tsukamoto. Degree Awarded, 2005.

Effect of Curcumin on IL-16 gene, Michael Perez. Current Student.

B-cell IL-19,  Daniel Killingsworth. Current Student

▲Top