THE CHROMATIN VIROLOGY LAB

Much like the cellular genome, viral genomes must be compacted in virus particles with small basic molecules to maximize space and be poised for gene expression. Some DNA viruses use cellular histone proteins to compact their genomes whereas others use small basic molecules. Adenoviruses encode their own histone-like protein, called protein VII, that forms a ‘beads on a string’ assembly with the viral genome. We are interested in how adenovirus manipulates host chromatin through protein VII and more broadly how DNA viruses use histones or histone-like proteins for dual function: to compact their genomes and control host genomes.

Herpesviruses incorporate histones on their genomes and regulate dozens of chromatin factors during infection. Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) causes global chromatin disruption during lytic infection or reactivation, resulting in nuclear enlargement and striking marginalization of heterochromatin during infection. HSV-1 progeny capsids egress from the nucleus by a unique mechanism of budding into the inner nuclear membrane and then fusing with the outer nuclear membrane. We are focused on the chromatin perturbations induced by HSV-1 lytic infection and how the virus exploits these changes for viral gain.

Are you interested in how viruses manipulate chromatin? Are you excited to discover unknown facets of molecular biology? If so, we’d love to hear from you!