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Blossom Damania, PhD – Genetics and Molecular Biology Curriculum

Blossom Damania, PhD

Boshamer Distinguished Professor

Headshot of Blossom Damania, PhD

Contact Information

Address

Office:
450 West Dr
32-004 LCCC
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Resources

Blossom Damania, PhD

Boshamer Distinguished Professor

Areas of Interest

Viruses; Cancer; Immunity

About

  • Mentorship Training Completions:
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Badge
  • OGE Mentoring Workshop Badge
  • Department Affiliations:
  • Microbiology & Immunology; Pharmacology

My Research

We study how viruses cause cancer and evade host immunity. We also investigate new approaches for treating viral and non-viral cancers.

Globally, it is estimated that between 15-20% of all cancers are associated with oncogenic viruses. These include EBV, KSHV, HPV, HCV, HBV, MCV and HTLV. The work in our laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular pathogenesis of different oncogenic viruses. We study several oncogenic human viruses including, but not limited to, Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). KSHV is associated with a number of human malignancies including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and B cell lymphoproliferative diseases such as multicentric Castleman’s disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma i.e. primary effusion lymphoma. Malignancies associated with KSHV are usually (but not always) seen in the context of immune-suppression i.e. in HIV-infected individuals and transplant patients. Both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and KSHV are gammaherpesviruses. Herpesviruses are characterized by their ability to persist in either a latent or lytic phase in the host. In latent infection, viral gene expression is limited and the viral genome remains associated with the cell for many generations without virus production. However, during the lytic phase there is a temporal order of viral gene expression resulting in the production of infectious viral progeny. The specific mechanisms as to how these viruses induce cellular transformation are under investigation and our lab is focused on understanding how the virus transforms cells and persists in them. We also study basic cellular and viral mechanisms that determine how these viruses are able to maintain the latent and lytic phases of its lifecycle.

Specific projects are listed as follows:

  • We study viral proteins that are involved in cellular transformation and modulation of cell signaling pathways. These studies involve investigating the effect of viral proteins on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell signal transduction pathways.
  • Kaposi‚Äôs sarcoma is a highly angiogenic tumor and we are currently investigating how viral proteins encoded by KSHV are responsible for the induction of angiogenesis.
  • We study host-pathogen interactions. Specifically, we are looking at how the virus interacts with the innate immune system.
  • We are developing therapeutics that curb viral replication and prevent virus persistence. We are also developing drug therapies that target cancer cells. In this manner we hope to translate basic research into clinical application.
  • Finally, we are using our knowledge on viral cancers to understand how certain types of non-viral cancers develop in the human population.

In summary, our lab is interested in the study of viral oncogenes, viral transcription factors, host-pathogen interactions, and innate immunity. The projects in our laboratory encompass the areas of signal transduction, apoptosis, angiogenesis, innate immunity, transcription and recombinant herpesvirus production. We employ the latest techniques in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology and biochemistry to investigate key issues in viral oncogenesis.