A new research unit dedicated to fighting infectious disease has opened at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The Miami Herald reports the University of Miami Infectious Disease Research Unit opened Tuesday with a goal of finding a vaccine and cure for HIV and AIDS.
Researchers at the new unit will attempt to reach that goal by recruiting patients diagnosed with HIV into clinical research funded by the state.
The facility is located next door to Jackson Memorial's HIV clinic. Mario Stevenson, chief of the infectious diseases division at UM's Miller School of Medicine, says the proximity of the unit to the clinic would have a dramatic impact on their efforts.
Florida Sen. Rene Garcia noted that South Florida has more newly diagnosed AIDS cases than any other region in the nation.
