The overarching goals of our lab are to understand the mechanisms of gene expression and regulation in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and in its human host cell. More specifically, we compare and contrast the mechanisms of KSHV and host gene expression at the level of RNA synthesis, stability, and processing.

1. 1.KSHV (also known as HHV-8) causes several human cancers including Kaposi’s sarcoma, Primary effusion lymphoma and some cases of Multicentric Castleman’s disease. By examining essential factors involved in viral gene expression, we hope to find better ways to combat this human pathogen.
   

2. 2.By studying the gene regulatory changes that make a virus oncogenic, we learn about the general processes that cause a normal cell to become cancerous.
   

3. 3.KSHV uses the host cell machinery to express its own genes. As we determine how KSHV RNAs and proteins interact with host factors to regulate gene expression, we ultimately will learn about gene expression pathways in its human host. Thus, by studying KSHV gene regulation, we will uncover fundamental processes driving human biology.