DNA positioning and interactions in herpesvirus reactivation

The chromatin organization within the cell nucleus is controlled at multiple levels. Herpesviruses such as Herpes simplex 1 virus replicate and maintain their genome in the host cell nucleus and utilize the host cells' nuclear structures during lytic and latent infection. Besides post-translational modifications of nucleosomes modulation of host chromatin looping is an integral part of the lytic and latent life cycle, yet the mechanisms of the regulation of reactivation are not fully understood.
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Project duration
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Core fields of research
Basic natural phenomena and mathematical thinking
Research areas
Nanobiology
Department
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Faculty
Faculty of Mathematics and Science
Funding
Research Council of Finland

Project description

Understanding the intranuclear mechanisms of herpesvirus reactivation and its effects on host chromatin structure and dynamics is crucial for basic research and the development of oncolytic virus therapies and novel antivirals aimed at blocking virus reactivation. This project aims to refine the understanding of the mechanisms of virus reactivation and the roles of chromatin organization and phase separation. The research will be conducted using an interdisciplinary approach that combines cell biology and biophysics with advanced imaging techniques, protein structure prediction algorithms, and biophysical modeling.

Publications

Project team

Project leaders

Salla Mattola
Academy Research Fellow

Project members

Jenni Auramo
Doctoral Researcher

Research groups

Research group

Virus-nucleus interactions

Virus-nucleus interactions