Our research encompasses three focus areas:

1. Roles of non-coding RNAs in anti-viral responses.
   We study the interactions between viruses (namely EBV) and the RNAi machinery to identify miRNA targets and miRNA-targeted signaling pathways. Through functional in vitro studies, we have shown that multiple g-herpesvirus miRNAs disrupt pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling.  We are actively pursuing additional miRNA targets, identified by high-throughput screens (i.e. PAR-CLIP, NGS), that are associated with cellular responses to virus infection.

2. Molecular determinants of g-herpesvirus latency and reactivation.
   We examine how post-transcriptional regulatory processes shape the EBV life cycle, specifically during cell state transitions such as the latent to lytic switch.  In gain and loss of function studies, we have determined that a subset of virus-encoded small RNAs influence EBV lytic reactivation through regulation of B cell receptor signaling.  Ongoing mechanistic studies are aimed at determining how viral ncRNAs participate in viral persistence in vivo.

3. Co-infections and viral oncogenesis.
   In collaboration with other labs at the VGTI, we examine molecular mechanisms contributing to AIDS-defining cancers in models of g-herpesvirus infection. Studies include longitudinal miRNA profiling to delineate associations with viral disease progression.