Virology

BIOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC POSITION:
Lindsay Young Distinguished Professor of Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee

EDUCATION:
• University of Bristol, 1965 Bachelor of Veterinary Science with honors
• University of Guelph, 1967 MSc
• University of Guelph, 1970 PhD
• Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1970-72
• University of Bristol, 1997 DSc

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
• Section Editor, Journal of Immunology
• Member, Editorial Board of Virology, Viral Immunology, Journal of Virology
• Principal Organizer, Keystone Symposium on Molecular Aspects of Viral Immunity, 2001
• Alcon Award for Vision Research, 2000

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Immunobiology and immunopathology of virus infections.

Current Projects: Our research uses various animal models of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in an attempt to understand the immunopathogenesis of HSV infection and its control by vaccines. In one model, herpetic stromalkeratitis (HSK) lesions are immunopathological. We are attempting to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HSK with a view to defining means of controlling these lesions which are an important cause of human blindness. The disease process appears to result from a pathological immune reaction against viral proteins or host proteins induced following infection or by a bystander mechanism of activation. The mechanism of immunopathology as well as its modulation is under investigation. Other projects deal with defining optimal means of inducing protective immunity against HSV. Current research emphasizes DNA vaccines given via mucosal routes. A range of in vivo and in vitro test systems are used to evaluate efficacy. In addition, we are attempting to define the relevance of cross-priming during immunization against viruses and determining how the cross priming process is mediated in vitro and in vivo.