Rosemary Rochford, PhD, Vice President for Research
Research at Upstate
is guided by four disease- based pillars that stimulate cross-departmental collaboration and inter- disciplinary
research. Our researchers are based in departments, but their work can also be thought of in the context of the pillars or in
the basic sciences.
Office of Vice President for Research
Bihchen Hwang, DDS, PhD
766 Irving Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315 464-5440
Current Appointments
- Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Hospital Campus
- Downtown
Research Programs and Affiliations
- Biomedical Sciences Program
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Research Pillars
Education & Fellowships
- PhD: University of Texas, 1989
Research Interests
- DNA replication of herpes viruses.
Publications
Link to PubMed (Opens new window. Close the PubMed window to return to this page.)
Research Abstract
Fidelity of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA replication
We are investigating the mechanisms governing the fidelity of HSV DNA replication that plays the critical roles in the emergence of mutations leading to resistance to antiviral drugs. Current efforts are focusing on examining the effects of different mutations of the polymerase and the processivity factor, the UL42, on the fidelity of DNA replication. Also, by using a novel mutagenesis system, we are characterizing whether the DNA replication accuracy could be influenced by the position effect.
Drug resistance of human cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Drug resistance is the major problem of successful treatment of human cytomegalovirus. Our current researches include the development of a novel and rapid method for the detection of drug resistant strains, including both polymerase and UL97 mutants, from clinical samples. We are also investigating the natural substrate of UL97, the kinase responsible for phosphorylating the antiviral drug ganciclovir. The findings could be useful for the future development of new antiviral reagents. These researches will be beneficial to the clinical treatment of CMV infections, especially for immuno-suppressed individuals.
Selected References
Hwang Y. T., Hwang C. B. C. (2003). Exonuclease-deficient polymerase mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 induces altered spectra of mutations. J. Virol. 77(5):2946-2955.
Hwang Y. T., Wang Y. A., Lu Q., Hwang C.B.C. (2003). Thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus type 1 strain KOS lacks mutator activity. Virology. 305(2):388-396.
Lu, Q., Hwang, Y. T., and Hwang, C. B. C. (2002). Detection of mutations within the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. J. Virol. Methods. 99:1-7.
Hwang, Y. T., Liu, B-Y., and Hwang, C. B. C. (2002). Replication fidelity fo the supF gene integrated in the thymidine kinase locus of herpes simplex virus type 1. J. Virol.76:3605-3614.
Lu, Q., Hwang, Y. T., and Hwang, C. B. C. (2002). Mutation spectra of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase mutants. J. Virol. 76:5822-5828