The Molecular Virology Research Group is based at the Unviersity of Liverpool and is led by Prof. James Stewart. The focus of research is on the use of molecular techniques to study the pathogenesis and immune response to viruses, principally the gamma subgroup of herpesviruses (γ-herpesviruses). This group of viruses includes clinically important pathogens that establish a life-long latent infection within lymphocytes. There are two human γ-herpesviruses, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), both of which establish latency in B lymphocytes. The most important animal γ-herpesviruses are the related Alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 and Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) that are associated with a fatal lymphoproliferative disease of domestic cattle and deer called malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Infection of mice with the murine γ-herpesvirus, MHV-68 has been developed as a small animal model system. This system has enabled the study of key aspects of γ-herpesvirus infection in a natural host, in particular the detailed study of the fundamentals of virus-host interactions.
Most of group's research programme is centred on the use of murine γ-herpesivirus-68 (MHV-68) as a small animal model for γ-herpesvirus pathogenesis and immunology. However,there are also projects working on other viruses such as OvHV-2, respiratory syncyctial virus and influenza virus.
Further information on projects, group members and additional online resources can be found by browsing the relevant pages on this site