Ocular Virology Laboratory
Deepak Shukla, PhD, Director
Marion Schenk Esq. Professor of Ophthalmology
Professor of Ophthalmology, Microbiology and Immunology
Research Interest: Viral and immunological basis of ocular diseases, molecular mechanisms of herpes simplex virus (HSV) entry, development of new anti-viral agents and vaccines.
Ongoing Research: Current investigations include the development of anti-viral agents and vaccines against ocular herpes, the immunbiology and pathogenesis of herpetic eye infections, and molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus entry into human corneal cells.
Impact: HSV infection is a major health problem worldwide infecting a large percentage of the world’s population, many of which are plagued by initial and recurrent lesions for their entire lives. Adding to that is the morbidity and the risk of blindness from ocular lesions and even lethality of HSV disease in neonates and in increasing number of immunocompromised individuals. Our research is expected to develop new and highly effective translational strategies against HSV.