Izaak Freeman Sciences
Effect of kcirc38 on KSHV Lytic Infection
Scholars Journal
Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) can establish latency, in which the virus hides and survives in a dormant state. In addition, in immunosuppressed people, it can reactivate and infect new cells, along with the potential to cause cancer. Current medications often have negative side effects, and a lack of a vaccine can make it hard to treat people with KSHV. However, recently, scientists have discovered non-coding circular RNAs that affect the virus's regulatory machinery. The focus of this study is the circRNA kcirc38 and its impact on lytic infection. To do so, cells will be transfected with the mutagenized genome and tested and compared to cells lacking the mutagenesis. His research seeks to better understand KSHV and potential therapeutics for the future.
Major: Molecular & Cell Biology
Mentor: Fenyong Liu