Research summary
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains a major clinical complication in a number of settings including immune-suppressed transplant patients and following congenital infection. The ability of HCMV, like all herpes viruses, to establish a lifelong latent infection of the host results in the threat posed by HCMV as twofold: Transplant patients are at risk following primary infection or following the reactivation of the latent virus that resides in the recipient.
Viruses are also fantastic tools to probe cell biology and immunology with HCMV being particularly adept at this.
The CMV research group is focused on dissecting the molecular basis of HCMV latency and reactivation, immune functions important for control of HCMV in disease settings, and furthering our understanding of potential vaccine targets both immunologically and also regarding their core function in HCMV infection:
Ongoing projects include:
1) Host factors that govern HCMV latency and reactivation
2) The role of viral factors (e.g. LUNA) in HCMV latency
3) The interactions of HCMV with haematopoiesis
4) Immune functions important in transplantation
5) Why specific humoral immune responses against HCMV are important for protection
6) The role of Domain V/AD6 in the structure and function of gB
Although HCMV is our primary focus we are also interested in applying our knowledge and expertise gained studying HCMV to the study of other pathogens that cause disease in transplantation. We currently are collaborating to study BK polyoma virus - a major pathogen in Kidney transplant recipients. It is a poorly understood pathogen with limited treatment options.
We are indebted to the Medical Research Council, Kidney Research UK, Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, NIHR, Rosetrees and Stoneygate Trusts, the Royal Free Charity, and the UCL philanthropic fund who generously support areas of research carried out in our laboratory.