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.
