Research
Emphasis Areas

Research Affiliates

Core Services
Behavioral Science Core

Brain Imaging Core

Cellular Morphology Core

Genetics Core

Infant Primate Research Laboratory Core

Instrument Development Laboratory Core

Rodney Ho, Ph.D.

Professor of Pharmaceutics
Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability
rodneyho@u.washington.edu
206-543-9434
University of Washington, Box 357610
Seattle, WA 98195-7610

Dr. Ho's research focus is mechanisms of HIV transmission from mother to fetus with the aim of developing therapeutic strategies to inhibit such transmission and reduce the effects of HIV on infected infants. Developmental delay is often associated with in utero HIV infection.

One current area of study involves identification and functional characterization of novel genetic variants of ABCB1, the gene encoding the drug transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in patients with leukemia. To identify the genetic nature or pharmacogenetics of drug resistance and other factors that prevent virus transmission, Ho and colleagues are seeking to determine why fewer than 25 percent of HIV-infected mothers transmit HIV to their infants. Understanding these factors may assist in inhibiting mother-to-fetus HIV transmission through optimization of drug combination therapies, postinfection immunization, or a combination of both approaches. Other research in Ho's lab includes studies integrating biologic, genetic, biophysical, and medical imaging approaches to drug delivery and targeting for treatment of AIDS and cancer.

Rodney Ho's web page

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 •chdd@u.washington.edu