Research Interests:
Molecular virology of respiratory RNA viruses, Innate immunity, Anti-viral signal transduction, Virus-host interactions, Virus based anti-cancer therapeutics

My research focuses on innate immune anti-viral response and basic molecular virology of negative strand RNA viruses of the respiratory tract. Following are the undergoing projects in the laboratory:

Innate immune response against respiratory RNA viruses – We are investing the innate immune response (the first line of host-mediated defense against pathogens) against two human respiratory viruses, human parainfluenza virus type 3 and human respiratory syncytial virus. These viruses are highly pathogenic and cause diseases (croup, pneumonia, bronchiolitis) in children, immuno-compromised adults and elderly. Since no effective anti-viral therapy and vaccine exists for these viruses, our studies attempts to understand the host derived anti-viral immune response to identify novel anti-viral molecules, which could be potentially developed as effective anti-viral therapy. A detailed understanding of the mechanism of host derived anti-viral innate immune response is fundamental to identification and development of novel anti-viral molecules/therapies against these viruses. Our studies on innate immune response constitutes investigation of the role of two signaling pathways, NF-kappa B and interferon induced JAK/STAT pathways in establishing an anti-viral state. The long-term goal of our research is to identify and characterize a) the molecules that play a critical role in activation of these pathways and, b) the anti-viral factors that are induced by NF-kappa B and JAK/STAT signaling cascades.

Molecular virology of respiratory RNA viruses - We are also interested in understanding the basic cell-biology mechanism of virus infection process by studying virus entry, trafficking and budding. These studies involve identification of novel cellular (host) factors that facilitate virus infection.

Development of anti-cancer oncolytic RNA viruses – We have recently identified a respiratory virus that has “oncolytic” property, i.e. it kills tumor cells, but not normal cells. We are in the process of generating genetically engineered “safe” and “efficient” recombinant viruses as anti-cancer therapeutic agent for virus-based cancer therapy called virotherapy.

In summary, our laboratory encompasses several aspects of cell and molecular biology/virology with emphasis on anti-viral signal transduction pathway, virus-host interaction and development of virus-based anti-cancer therapeutics.