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Dr. Wayne L. Gray
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Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology
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| Affiliation |
UAMS Department of Microbiology & Immunology |
| Specialty |
Virology |
| Office |
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| Email |
graywaynel AT exchange.uams.edu |
| Website |
http://www.uams.edu/mbim/gray2.htm |
| Phone |
501-686-5187 |
| Fax |
501-686-5359 |
| Mail |
Arkansas Cancer Research Center
UAMS
4301 W. Markham St. #623
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 |
| Core Areas |
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular biology of Herpesviruses
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| Research Areas |
My laboratory is investigating the molecular biology of varicella zoster virus (VZV) and the pathogenesis of VZV infections.
VZV is the cause of two distinct human diseases: varicella (chickenpox) and the herpes zoster (shingles). Varicella, characterized by vesicular skin rash and fever, is one of the most common diseases of childhood. During varicella, the VZV establishes a latent infection of the nerve ganglia of the host. Later in life, especially in the elderly, the virus may reactivate to cause herpes zoster. Although varicella and herpes zoster are usually mild and self-limiting infections, these diseases can be severe and life-threatening in cancer and AIDS patients and in transplant recipients. In addition, many herpes zoster patients suffer from chronic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia.
Our primary goal is to develop an understanding of the molecular basis of VZV pathogenesis, latency and reactivation. By investigating VZV gene regulation and animal models of the disease, we are attempting to understand the role of specific viral genes in acute and latent infections.
My laboratory is also working to develop safe and effective vaccines which will protect against VZV infections and will prevent the establishment of VZV latency. We are using recombinant DNA technology to develop live attenuated VZV vaccines and subunit VZV vaccines. By studying the immune response to specific viral antigens, we hope to understand which components of the virus are the most antigenic and would be the best candidates for inclusion into VZV vaccines.
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