Antiviral restriction factors are host proteins designed to block viral replication and propagation. They can target specific stages of a virus's life cycle, and some can also act as sensors that trigger innate immune responses against viruses.
The central theme of my research is understanding how viruses have evolved to evade different host antiviral restriction factors and sometimes even utilize them to their advantage. By delving deep into the mechanisms viruses use to exploit host restriction machinery for their benefit, I hope to identify potential targets for antiviral intervention. My primary focus is on the oncogenic gamma-herpesviruses, KSHV, and EBV, although I also have a substantial interest in HSV1, HSV2, and SARS-CoV-2.
