Herpesviruses Latency

Clinton Jones, PhD - University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.

Studies will: 1) determine if cellular or viral anti-apoptotic genes restore the reactivation deficiency of a HSV-1 LAT null mutant, 2) map the minimal LAT sequences that inhibit apoptosis, 3) identify cellular genes that have altered expression as a result of LAT expression, and 4) examine the role that LAT plays in pathogenesis and latency. These studies will enhance our understanding of LAT's role in latency. This knowledge may be translated into innovative strategies that interfere with the latency/reactivation cycle.