Interests

The research focus of the Cardin Lab is to understand the virus-host interactions that are important for CMV pathogenesis and immunological control of long term latent CMV infection. CMV encodes viral homologs to host proteins (such as IL-10, TNF, chemokine receptors) that interfere with the host immune response by immune evasion or by mimicry. Understanding the advantages provided by 'hijacking' of host proteins by CMV will lead to the development of effective vaccine strategies.