Research Interest
In molecular virology lab, we study the gene functions and host interactions of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) that causes several diseases in patients with congenital infection and impaired immune function, and Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) that causes chickenpox and Zoster. The functions of viral regulatory proteins, DNA replication proteins, and tegument proteins in the virus life cycle are studied using molecular biology, cell biology, and genetic analysis methods. Through studies on the defense mechanisms of cells responding to viral infection and on the functions of viral genes that regulate them, we investigate the interaction between viruses and hosts. We also study how to effectively control the infection of these viruses. Recently, we have been actively conducting research on viral regulation of the host innate immunity, the interaction between viral infection and the cellular ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modification systems, and G-quadruplex functions on viral genomes.