Dr. Deepak Shukla studies the viral and immunological basis of ocular diseases, particularly ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV) pathogenesis, and the development of new antiviral agents and vaccines. His research program is supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI) grants, the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., and several other foundation grants. Dr. Shukla’s research has made significant strides in understanding HSV eye infections and developing innovative therapeutic strategies. His recent work includes studying host factors in HSV pathogenesis, developing novel drug candidates and delivery systems for ocular herpes, pioneering research on the role of microRNAs in HSV pathogenesis, and conducting groundbreaking studies on host-pathogen interactions using advanced imaging techniques. Dr. Shukla has an exceptional commitment to graduate and postgraduate education and serves on important educational committees in the College of Medicine. His laboratory has trained over 50 students and pre- and postdoctoral fellows, of whom many are now independent investigators with faculty appointments. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM). He has been recognized as the UIC Distinguished Researcher of the Year (2018), UIC Inventor of the Year (2023), University Scholar (2023-2026), and the Researchers to Know (2024) by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition. He serves as an academic editor for PLoS Pathogens, PLoS One, and Microorganisms. Additionally, he has served on numerous NIH study sections, including a few as Chairman. Dr. Shukla joined the department in 2001.

Research Interests

Research in Dr. Deepak Shukla’s laboratory employs innovative approaches to combat herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections and explores their broader implications for preventing blindness, vision health, and neurodegenerative diseases. His lab uses cell biology, immunological, and translational approaches to study ocular virology comprehensively. One notable project is the discovery of a small molecule, BX795, which effectively clears HSV-1 infections in corneal cells, human corneas, and mouse models. This molecule targets AKT phosphorylation, improves anti-HSV immunity, and enhances the host cells' ability to eliminate the virus, offering a promising new treatment for drug-resistant HSV infections and other viral infections. Another significant project in Dr. Shukla’s lab focuses on the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) in antiviral defense. This protein complex limits HSV-1 infection and protects against viral encephalitis, potentially preventing severe brain damage and fatal outcomes. The research focuses on mTORC2’s role in activating innate and adaptive immunity during ocular HSV-1 infection, offering insights into new therapeutic strategies to protect ocular and neuronal tissues.

Dr. Shukla’s team also studies heparan sulfate in viral infections. Their results show that the 3-O-sulfated form of heparan sulfate can serve as a specific entry receptor for ocular herpes virus. Additionally, they study the enzyme heparanase, which normally removes heparan sulfate from the cell surface. Their studies show that heparanase acts as a host virulence factor upon HSV-1 infection, promoting inflammatory and pro-angiogenic conditions. This enzyme is upregulated upon infection, and its non-enzymatic functions during ocular infection and immunobiology are currently under investigation by Shukla's team. His research suggests that optineurin (OPTN), a conserved autophagy receptor, selectively targets HSV-1 proteins for degradation, preventing the virus from causing severe neurodegeneration. Studies on this HSV restriction factor are ongoing to demonstrate a link between herpes simplex virus infections and neurodegenerative diseases affecting vision, such as Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, and ALS, opening new avenues for understanding and potentially mitigating these conditions and associated vision losses. Additionally, Dr. Shukla’s lab studies a novel drug delivery system using defined pore size activated charcoal to deliver acyclovir, a common herpes medication. This system enhances the drug's efficacy, allowing for lower dosages and reducing the risk of kidney damage associated with long-term use. The charcoal-based system acts as a slow-release capsule, providing sustained antiviral activity and potentially serving as a prophylactic treatment.

Furthermore, the Shukla group is studying how 4-phenylbutyrate can be a new synergistic drug to treat ocular herpes and viral encephalitis while reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and toxicities associated with other antiviral drugs. Overall, the recent advancements from Dr. Shukla’s lab represent significant progress in understanding HSV pathogenesis and developing innovative treatments, supported by NEI R01 grants and other prestigious funding sources.

See a representative list of Dr. Shukla’s published journal articles on PubMed.

PhD in Microbiology and Immunology: University of Illinois Chicago
Research Fellowship in Virology and Immunology: Northwestern University