Section of Virology

Overview

The Department of Molecular Genetics Section of Virology is comprised of investigators who specialize in and recognize the paramount importance of investigating the molecular and immunological bases of the infectious processes of human viruses. Understanding the fundamental basis of how viruses cause the disease process still remains a colossal challenge to virologists. The Section of Virology is dedicated to studying the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and to recruit virologists to interact and foster interdisplinary research with physicians in the clinical departments of the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Amiya K. Banerjee is the Head of the Section of Virology. Dr. Banerjee’s laboratory is involved in understanding the biosynthetic pathways underlying how the genetic material of pathogenic viruses, e.g., vesicular stomatitis virus and human parainfluenza viruses, is expressed and regulated during their invasion of host cells. The laboratory’s primary goal is to understand the molecular basis of pathogenicity of these two viruses, with an eye to developing antivirals and vaccines to combat these deadly viruses. In addition, research is being carried out to probe into the molecular basis of pathogenicity of human hepatitis virus C and to understand the mechanism of antiapoptotic functions of viral gene products (Dr. Nickolay Neznanov).