DrVladimir Bokun

I am a post-doctoral research associate investigating the infection of placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells) with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). This research focuses on: the characterization of HCMV infection in this cell type using a high-level proteomic approach; the role of maternal antibody in mediating HCMV infection of Hofbauer cells and other cell types in the placenta; and glycan-mediated mechanisms of interaction between these cells and the virus.

As part of other research, I have established a novel method for the discrimination of extracellular vesicles (EVs), dense bodies (DBs), and HCMV virions, produced during HCMV infection, based on nano-flow cytometry (nFC). This method was then used to design an effective protocol for the physical separation of these particle types for biochemical and functional investigation, which is currently being undertaken.