The FEMIN network of female scientists meets in South Africa with researchers from CAPRISA to discuss current developments in HIV research, treatment, and prevention

In February, the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) organized a congress in collaboration with the FEMIN network of researchers, a team of women specialists in mucosal immunology and sexually transmitted diseases. During the congress and the visit to CAPRISA facilities, the researchers presented their latest studies on HIV and other infectious diseases. Specifically, the sessions focused on the use of antibodies against HIV, maternal health and HIV, PrEP, and the molecular mechanisms that allow the identification of protection or risk of HIV infection. IrsiCaixa researcher and FEMIN group collaborator Cecilia Cabrera participated in this last session, where she shared her studies on immunotherapies against viral and bacterial infections with her colleagues.

Events like the one organized by CAPRISA help accelerate the development of prevention and treatment tools against HIV, a common interest among the researchers in the FEMIN group. "The objective of this congress is to promote collaboration between both groups in an inclusive and trustful environment. This collaboration will enable the establishment of synergies that could help, among other things, prevent HIV infection in young women, a particularly vulnerable group in Sub-Saharan Africa," comments Cabrera. "I would like to express my gratitude to Professors Salim S Abdool Karim, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, and Desh Archary, Doctors Sharana Mahomed and Disebo Potloane, as well as the entire CAPRISA team for their hospitality and generosity. Also, I want to thank Professor Françoise Barré-Sinoussi for her continuous support to the FEMIN group," she adds.