Viral Pathogenesis Lab

The molecular mechanism of HSV entry into cell is complex and involves receptors. We investigate how receptor binding to glycoprotein D triggers the mechanism that will eventually lead to fusion of the viral envelop with a cellular membrane. We are using purified proteins to investigate molecular interactions.

HSV first interacts with cell surface proteins that act as receptors in order to recognize and then penetrate into target cells. We are studying how the virus affects cellular functions for its own benefit and how the cell responds to virus binding to its receptors.
 

HSV-1 is a frequent oral pathogen in humans. Virus causes gingivostomatitis during the primary infection and then recurrent reactivation of the virus causes cold sores. In the laboratory we are recreating the natural conditions of infection of oral cells in the presence of saliva to understand how virus targets these tissues.