Northwestern University · Microbiology & ImmunologyVirus-Host Interaction Lab
Derek Walsh · Evanston, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Derek Walsh's lab at Northwestern University studies how certain viruses manipulate host cells during infection. They focus on the unusual behavior of Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and poxviruses, investigating how these viruses impact cell structures and functions to enhance their replication and spread. The research combines advanced imaging techniques with molecular biology to unravel the complex interactions between viruses and host cells, paving the way for potential therapeutic developments.
CytomegaloviruspoxvirusmTORlive cell imagingcytoskeletal dynamicsviral replicationinnate immune responsegene expressioncell motilitytherapeutics
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the role of microtubules in Cytomegalovirus infection and their influence on nuclear behavior.
AIM 02Explore how poxviruses manipulate mTOR signaling to evade immune responses.
AIM 03Characterize the structural interactions between viral proteins and host signaling pathways.
AIM 04Examine the relationship between viral replication mechanisms and host cell motility.
AIM 05Develop new imaging techniques to observe dynamic cellular processes during viral infection.
Skills the Lab Values
live cell imagingRNA interferencemass spectrometrytranscriptomic sequencingviral manipulation techniquescell cultureimmunoprecipitationcomputational imaging analysisprotein interaction assayscytoskeletal analysis
Output against the department
Publications69bottom 20% of dept.385th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.1kbottom 22% of dept.380th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
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