Our laboratory focuses on herpes simplex virus (HSV) which can switch between latent and lytic infections. Upon infection, the virus instigates pattern recognition receptors that limit viral replication and control immune responses. This operates in a cell-type specific and temporal manner. Remarkably, under the evolutionary pressure, HSV has evolved an array of viral proteins to regulate the immune systems. Accordingly, dynamic interplay between HSV and host cells determines the outcomes of HSV infection. The long-term goal of our research is to understand the nature of virus-host interactions, with two major themes:

(1) Viral immunity in pathogenesis.With state-of-the-art technology, we study HSV genes that modulate the host restriction systems. We are interested in defining how HSV replicates in the face of active DNA or RNA sensing machineries. This involves molecular dissections of the viral genome and innate immune regulatory networks. The objective is to decipher virus and host mechanisms linked to HSV replication or pathogenesis.

(2) Oncolytic HSV in cancer immunotherapy. We study engineered HSV for cancer immunotherapy. We seek to define the molecular basis of tumor selective oncolytic HSV replication. Built on viral genetic analyses, we also explore distinct oncolytic HSV that actively primes systemic antitumor immunity . This integrates virology, cancer biology and immunology approaches. The objective is to uncover attributes of next generation oncolytic HSV amendable for immunotherapy of metastatic disease.

PhD, Purdue University