Epstein-Barr Virus Biology

Laboratory Head   

Professor Denis Moss

Summary

The Epstein-Barr Virus Biology Laboratory is committed to understanding the biology and immunology of two clinically important human pathogens, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and vaccinia virus. EBV laboratory findings are captured for use in human clinical trials.

EBV causes glandular fever and is associated with a number of cancers, including lymphomas in transplant patients and a relatively common form of cancer in the back of the nose called nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The EBV Biology Laboratory has a broad interest in all aspects of the biology of the virus and is closely linked with other EBV laboratories within the Immunology Division.

Conditions researched 

• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (nose and throat cancer)
• Glandular fever
• Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Burkitt's lymphoma 

Current research

• Monitoring the immune response to EBV in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of NPC tumours
• Defining the components of the immune system that protect from EBV infection
• A peptide-based clinical trial for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
• Evaluating a formulation designed to control NPC
• Screening bioactive compounds for immunological activity 

Staff 

Laboratory Head: Professor Denis Moss

Postdoctoral Staff: Dr Viviana Lutzky

Research Assistants: Pauline Crooks, Monika Corban, Michelle Martinez, Leanne Morrison

Clinical Trial Coordinator: Natasha Stevens

Masters student (clinical trainee): Mark Smith

Funding

We gratefully acknowlege the support of the following funding agencies:

• The National Health and Medical Research Council
• The Queensland Cancer Fund
• Cell-based Therapy Grant from Atlantic Philanthropies
• Rodney Williams Memorial Fund

Collaborators

Professor William Coman, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland

Dr Benedict Panizza, Greenslopes Private Hospital

Professor William Coman, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland

Dr David Chin, QIMR and Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland

Dr John Nicolls, Hong Kong University