Herpesvirus Biology
Herpesviruses have the most complex genomes among the animal viruses and their life cycle is of similar complexity. This group concentrates on members of the betaherpesvirus (mouse cytomegalovirus, MCMV) and gammaherpesvirus (mouse herpesvirus 68, MHV68). We study virus functions in vitro and in vivo and focus on the modulation, activation and inhibition of cellular genes and proteins by the virus. Changes caused by the virus are delineated to the gene level using molecular tools developed by this group. Gene functions are studied at the level of the gene in cell culture and in the virus context. With our research we wish to contribute to cell biology, vectorology and antiviral chemotherapy.