Grant: Project Grant

Herpesviruses have a two phase infectious cycle. The first phase if a productive infection with production and dissemination of new viruses. The second phase is a phase of dormancy where the virus hides from the immune system. Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a very common virus that uses a very uncommon way to establish its dormancy. In fact, HHV-6 is the only human herpesvirus that integrates its genetic material in the chromosomes fo the cell it infects. Our project has 3 goals: 1) understand how the virus can integrate the chromosomes; 2) How, once integrated the virus can exit the chromosomes and cause new infections; 3) determine the impact of HHV-6 infection/integration on the biology of telomeres. To reach these goals, we will rely on expertise and reagents acquired over the last fifteen years. Once completed, a better understanding of the biology of this intriguing virus will be obtained. HHV-6 chromosomal integration is an understudied research area. Several large cohort studies have identified important disease association in individuals with iciHHV-6. Upon completion, our research proposal will add significant knowledge to our understanding of HHV-6 integration and the potential detrimental effects of this condition on human health.