Research Activities

Bihchen Hwang, DDS, Ph.D. Professor of Microbiology and Immunology 2279 Weiskotten Hall Upstate Medical University 750 East Adams Street Syracuse, NY 13210 (315) 464-8739

Education and Clinical Training

Research Program and Department Affiliations

Research Interests

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

Publications - link to PubMed

This profile was last updated on 09/29/2008

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