Research team
Cytomegaloviruses are large, double-stranded DNA viruses that persist for the lifetime of the infected host.
These viruses have co-evolved with their hosts, and thus most vertebrate species appear to have their own, species-specific cytomegalovirus.
The research of the Cytomegalovirus Research Group focuses on murine (mouse) cytomegalovirus, which is the most widely used model for human CMV infection.
Our research involves detailed studies of specific gene function, analysis of the effects of genetic variation on virus immune evasion, and genomic analyses of wild strains of MCMV. Of particular interest are the putative interactions (complementation, competition or recombination) between multiple viral strains infecting the same host.
We also use murine CMV as a vector for delivery of foreign proteins into the murine host, resulting in long-lived and specific immune responses against the recombinant antigen.
One such system, utilising murine CMV expressing murine fertility proteins, can be used to induce infertility in mice.
School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
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Last updated:
Tuesday, 23 June, 2009 4:35 PM
