Virology

The goal of the Virology Program is to determine the interactions between viral and cellular proteins in virus infection and the effects of viral infection on cellular growth control.

The program focuses on

• basic studies of protein/DNA interactions on origins of replication
• viral regulation of expression
• viral effects on cell function, and
• viral vaccines and vectors.

Research by members includes

• the characterization of the replication complex of herpes simplex virus (HSV)
• the role of recombination proteins in initiation of replication, the effect of cell cycle progression on HSV replication and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) expression
• activation of the beta-catenin/TCF pathway by EBV
• identification of the epidermal growth factor receptor as a receptor for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)
• activation of NFkB and p38 signaling by EBV and HCMV
• development of transgenic animal models of EBV oncogenesis
• development of Venezualan Encephalitis Virus as a vaccine vector
• analysis of anti-viral resistance to HIV during therapy
• in vitro assembly of Norwalk virus, and
• application of VEE for vaccination for SARS.

Overall, the program will continue to dissect the viral/cellular molecular interactions that occur during viral infection and determine how specific molecular events contribute to viral pathogenesis and oncogenesis. The 15 faculty investigators have 51 grants and $8.6 million in total extramural support. Peer-reviewed research funding totals 46 grants and $7.3 million, including 16 grants and $2.3 million from the National Cancer Institute. Members of the Virology Program participate in three Program Project Grants.

Dr. Nancy Raab-Traub, the program leader, is internationally recognized for her studies of the role of viruses in cancer and her major research interest is EBV oncogenesis. She was the first to determine that distinct viral genes are expressed in specific diseases and continues studying the consequences of expression of these genes in different cell types and in transgenic mouse models. The future plans for the Program include recruitment of additional investigators in virally-associated cancers and the expansion of anti-viral specific and immuno-therapies for these cancers.