 Basic Sciences | Clinical Sciences | Cancer Prevention & Control | Prostate Cancer SPORE | R.A.D.A.R. |
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Research Programs > Basic Sciences Research Division
Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis Research Team: Band, Laimins, Longnecker, Rundell, Thimmapaya Proteins which alter normal cellular growth regulation are being intensively studied in this programmatic theme. Human papilloma virus (HPV - Laimins and Band) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV - Longnecker) are DNA viruses with known roles in human malignancies and are being studied by members of the Lurie Cancer Center. The mechanism of transformation of simian virus 40 (SV40 - Rundell) which has been shown to be involved in several human tumors as well as adenovirus, which has been important in defining important cell growth regulatory proteins (Thimmapaya) are also being studied by members of the Viral Oncogenesis Program. Studies with all the viruses are designed to elucidate the role of viral genes that alter normal cellular growth processes. Ultimately, it is hoped that these studies will provide a clear understanding of the transformation process and provide insight into the development of novel therapeutics that may be used to treat cancers that may result from viral infections. |
