Grant: Operating Grant

Viruses are responsible for many of the world's most serious diseases. In Canada, viral infections remain the single most common reason why people seek medical attention. In order to spread infection, many viruses replicate themselves in the nucleus of their host cells. To accomplish this, they transport their genome into the nucleus of their host cells. Today, many aspects of viral replication and cell entry are well understood at the molecular level; however, very little is known about how viruses deliver their genetic material into the nucleus. Interrupting the delivering of the viral genome into the nucleus could prevent the virus from spreading. Thus, a detailed characterization of the process of nuclear entry of viral genomes is an important step toward developing anti-viral therapy. In addition, because viruses are now used as vehicles in gene therapy in humans to deliver therapeutic genes to organs harboring disease, our work is critical for gene-delivery technology. The present research proposal plans to explore more in depth the mechanisms used by parvoviruses to deliver their genome into the nucleus of their host cells. Because of their ability to preferentially target and kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, parvoviruses are potential vectors for use in cancer gene therapy. Thus, our studies of nuclear import of parvovirus promise to bring significant insights for anti-cancer gene therapy.