
Melissa Whyte
Graduate Student
Locations
- Microbiology & Immunology
Contact Information
Biography
Year Entered MCW: 2016
Previous Education: BS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2014; MS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2016
Research Interests
Mechanisms of viral immune evasion by human herpesvirus-6 and -7
“I am interested in pathogen-host interactions. In Dr. Hudson's lab, we study mechanisms by which human herpesvirus-6 and -7 interfere with normal cellular processes in order to evade detection by the host immune system. Our work focuses on the viral protein U21, which reroutes class I MHC to lysosomes, preventing the presentation of viral antigens to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We are currently investigating potential U21-interacting partners as well as the trafficking pattern of U21 within host cells.”