Description:

Title: Genetic Dissection of Viral Pathogenesis and Host Defense

Speaker: Jan Carette, PhD

Host: Gregory A. Smith PhD

Topic:

Emerging and re-emerging viruses pose a constant threat to human health. Through advanced genetic screens we have identified proteins with critical roles in the replication of medically important viruses from diverse families including Ebola virus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, dengue virus, and hepatitis C virus. In addition, we have discovered a key cellular receptor for the AAV gene therapy vector. We are studying the molecular details on how the viruses have hijacked these host components to facilitate their pathogenesis and are characterizing the roles they play in human biology and infectious disease.