Immunology

Genital herpes (GH), caused by Herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 (HSV-1 or -2), is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases in the world. Currently, there is no effective treatment for GH, but a new vaccine Simplirix (by GSK), is currently in clinical trials. Simplirix has had some success in preventing disease, but only in females that are HSV-1 and -2 negative. Since oral herpes (OH, also caused by HSV-1 and -2) infection can occur at very early ages, vaccination against GH may be most effective in a childhood vaccination program.

Cancer emergence and progression are highly complex processes characterized by interactions among a large variety of cells and signalling molecules. It is very difficult to explain these complex interactions through linear thinking and molecular reductionist approaches. Mathematical modeling is a powerful tool that can substantially enhance our capacity for interpreting the data and generate new hypotheses.