Lab Research Overview

The laboratory is now closed, but we are still working on manuscripts and, when possible, providing reagents.

Our lab has taken molecular approaches to two herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), in part to understand processes that distinguish viral functions from cellular functions, which can be exploited to permit antiviral therapy. The foci have been 1) post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression relevant to virus latency, a fascinating and clinically important topic, 2) functional dissection of replication proteins, and 3) antiviral drug targets, drug mechanisms, and drug resistance, with emphasis on targeting proteins involved in nuclear egress.

Post-transcriptional regulation and latency: Post-transcriptional regulation of herpes simplex virus genes, including how host and viral microRNAs regulate the virus and vice-versa, and translational regulation.

Herpesvirus DNA replication proteins: These proteins are both antiviral drug targets and prototypes for human replication proteins. The recent focus has been determining 3-D structures of these proteins in complex with replication templates and studying mechanisms of drugs that inhibit the viral polymerases (with the Abraham lab). 

Drug targets and nuclear egress: Aside from our studies of herpesvirus DNA replication proteins. we have studied the human cytomegalovirus protein kinase that phosphorylates ganciclovir and is inhibited by maribavir, and promotes nuclear egress (with the Abraham lab). We have also studied the two-subunit nuclear egress complex as a potential target for new antivirals (with the Arthanari lab).  

 

NEWS

Apologies for the long delay in updating this website: 

As the laboratory is now closed, there are no positions available.  

For recent publications, please click on the Publications tab.