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Reina Bendayan’s research program focuses on mechanisms that regulate drug transport across blood-tissue barriers including the blood-brain barrier, blood-testicular barrier, blood-intestinal barrier, and blood-placenta barrier. She leads clinical studies investigating drug disposition, drug-drug interactions, and drug use, particularly focusing on the transport of antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Millions of people worldwide are affected by HIV, and while the infection is manageable with combined antiretroviral therapy, a permanent cure remains elusive due to the presence of viral reservoirs in cellular tissues. The persistence of HIV is partly attributed to members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which serve as membrane-associated drug efflux transport proteins present at these blood-tissue barriers, hindering the penetration of anti-HIV drugs into the cells. Bendayan investigates the expression and regulation of these transport proteins and their role in managing drug delivery, particularly under conditions associated with HIV-induced neuro-inflammation. Her research contributions have been supported by grants from Canadian Institutes of Health Research and other notable organizations, focusing on innovative approaches to enhance drug delivery for better treatment outcomes.
Department of Sociology