Research Bench Lab
Scott Terhune, PhD

Scott S. Terhune, PhD

Professor

Locations

  • Microbiology & Immunology
    TBRC C2890

Contact Information

General Interests

Human Cytomegalovirus Host-Cell Protein Interactions During Infection

Education

PhD, Cancer Biology, Northwestern University, 2000
Postdoctoral Fellow, Proteomics/Cytomegalovirus Biology, Princeton University, 2007

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.

Publications