University of Pittsburgh
header image
Home › Research › Research Areas ›

Molecular Virology

Understanding the molecular basis of viral interactions with their hosts requires a more complete picture of virus structure and regulation at the molecular level. Groups in this focus area are investigating the regulation of viral gene expression, mechanisms of viral capsid assembly and DNA packaging, alterations in host cell signaling by HIV accessory factors, virus entry into host cells, as well as engineering viral vectors for the analysis of host cell function.

Dr. Cohen
Justus B. Cohen
Research Instructor
View Profile
Dr. DeLuca
Neal A. DeLuca
Professor
View Profile
Dr. Glorioso
Joseph C. Glorioso III
Professor
View Profile
Dr. Goins
William F. Goins
Research Assistant Professor
View Profile
Dr. Homa
Fred L. Homa
Professor
View Profile
Dr. Seema Lakdawala
Seema S. Lakdawala
Adjunct
View Profile
Dr. Zhaoxia Qu
Zhaoxia (Julia) Qu
Research Assistant Professor
View Profile
Dr. Kathy H.Y. Shair
Kathy H.Y. Shair
Assistant Professor
View Profile

Associated Labs

DeLuca Lab

Repression and activation of persisting HSV genomes: Herpes simplex virus can undergo either a productive infection, where all the viral genes are expressed culminating in the production of progeny virus and cell death, or it can enter a latent state, which is characterized by the relative lack of viral gene expression, genome persistence, and cell survival. Learn more>

Glorioso Lab

Dr. Glorioso’s most recent research has focused on (i) the design and application of HSV gene vectors for exploring the molecular events that occur in sensory afferents that are involved in the transition from acute to chronic pain. Learn more>

Homa Lab

Research in our lab is focused on understanding the mechanism of herpesvirus capsid assembly and DNA packaging.  Learn more>

Lakdawala Lab

Our lab studies the molecular properties contributing to the epidemiological success of influenza A viruses to better predict future pandemics. There are two main areas of research in my lab 1) exploring the intracellular dynamics of influenza viral RNA assembly and 2) defining the viral properties necessary for efficient airborne transmission of influenza viruses. Learn more>

Shair Lab

The Shair lab studies the molecular mechanisms of cancer induced by this latent virus with the purpose of defining how these mechanisms contribute to the oncogenic and metastatic properties of EBV-associated diseases. Learn more>

Xiao-Qu Lab

Our primary research interests include the study of signaling transduction pathways in immunity and tumorigenesis, particularly NF-kB, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying the type-1 human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I) mediated T cell transformation for disease prevention and therapeutic purposes. Learn more>

Associated Publications

Coyne, C. B; Bozym, R; Morosky, S. A; Hanna, S. L; Mukherjee, A; Tudor, M; Kim, K. S; and Cherry, S. (2011) Comparative RNAi screening reveals host factors involved in enterovirus infection of polarized endothelial monolayers. Cell Host Microbe. 9: 70-82. | View Abstract
Ferenczy, M. W; and DeLuca, N. A. (2011) Reversal of heterochromatic silencing of quiescent herpes simplex virus type 1 by ICP0. J Virol. 85: 3424-3435. | View Abstract
Conway, J. F; Cockrell, S. K; Copeland, A. M; Newcomb, W. W; Brown, J. C; and Homa, F. L. (2010) Labeling and localization of the herpes simplex virus capsid protein UL25 and its interaction with the two triplexes closest to the penton. J Mol Biol. 397: 575-586. | View Abstract