Virology, Immunology, Cancer and Cell Biology
Overview
Exciting research in the department delves into the basis of gene expression and signaling
mechanisms in the host response to infection (immunology) and to factors involved
in the development of cancer.
Virologists in the department are studying the power of innate host resistance to
HIV viral infection, innate immunity to adenoviral agents and the mechanisms of oncogenesis
induced by viral infection. Natural Killer cells are under investigation for their
role in immune surveillance and immune regulation.
Other research involves the regulation of gene expression associated with immune mediated
inflammation in response to infection and in the vascular inflammatory response found
in diabetes. Faculty are studying the gene expression and other factors leading to
autoimmunity.
Molecular methods are used to ferret out the details of signaling pathways and downstream
transcription factors that are critical to immune responses or to the development
of cancer. Research is performed on the molecular mechanisms of regulation of oncogenesis
and the cell cycle in breast cancer.