Scott S. Terhune, PhD
Professor
Locations
- Microbiology & Immunology
TBRC C2890
Contact Information
General Interests
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, Proteomics/Cytomegalovirus Biology, Princeton University, 2007
Research Areas of Interest
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Cell Cycle
- Cell Differentiation
- Cytomegalovirus
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Neuropathogenesis
- Proteomics
- Viral Proteins
- Virus Replication
Research Experience
- Antiviral Agents
- Cell Cycle
- Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
- Cytomegalovirus
- Histone Acetyltransferases
- Histone Deacetylases
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Protein Kinases
- Signal Transduction
- STAT3 Transcription Factor
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
Methodologies and Techniques
- Cell Cycle
- DNA, Viral
- Drug Synergism
- Protein Interaction Mapping
- Proteomics
- RNA, Viral
- Virus Replication
Leadership Positions
- Past Chair, Faculty Career Development Committee
- Past member, SOM and Graduate School Rank Committees
- Scientific Advisor, AHW
Research Interests
Our research focuses on determining the molecular functions of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) proteins during infection and disease. HCMV is a member of the beta-herpesvirus family of viruses which includes HHV-6 and 7. Infection occurs upon exposure to virus-containing body fluids, is life-long and generally asymptomatic in healthy children and adults. However, during pregnancy, HCMV infection may result in congenital birth defects including hearing loss and neurological damage. In immunologically immature or compromised children and adults, infection often results in life threatening diseases. And, increasing evidence suggestions that persistent life-long HCMV infection is associated with numerous chronic diseases including atherosclerosis, immuno-senescence, cancer and possibly Alzheimer’s Disease.