Profile
My laboratory investigates the key mechanisms by which DNA tumor viruses infect, replicate and cause disease in the host. The model system that we use is human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical, oral and anal cancers. HPV accounts for 5% of the cancer burden worldwide. The lifecycle of the virus is linked to the differentiation status of the keratinocytes. There is no treatment after HPV infection. HPV early proteins modulate the lifecycle of the viral genome inside the host cells. The lab studies how the early proteins of HPV manipulate the host DNA replication, transcription and mitotic partitioning machinery to complete the viral lifecycle. The role of viral proteins on the DNA damage response of the cell will also be studied. We use genetic/ biochemical tools and viral infection studies to address these questions. We will identify, develop and test small molecules against HPV early proteins in vitro and in vivo.
Current Focus Areas
I will study the role of post translational modifications of viral early proteins during initial infection, maintenance and amplification of the HPV genome inside the host cell. My current focus is on the HPV E2 protein which is the replicative, transcriptional activator and episomal maintenance protein of the virus.