Structural mechanism of herpesvirus entry into cells

Jared Pitts
Predoctoral Student
B.S., Texas A & M University

Thesis Topic
Structural and Biochemical Analysis of Proteins required for Viral Entry and Egress

Current Research
Entry and egress are two vital components of viral lifecycles. My project involves determining the structures of proteins required for these processes. Specifically I will be looking at the how the cytoplasmic domain of gB has the ability to regulate the fusion event between the viral envelope and the host cell membrane. During the egress process the tegument protein VP1/2 and UL25 are important for trafficking the newly formed capsids from the nucleus to golgi-derived vesicles. I would like to determine the structure of exactly how these two proteins interact.