Daniel Loeb
Credentials: PhD
Position title: Professor
Email: loeb@oncology.wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-1260
Address:
6453 Wi Institute Medical Research
1111 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705
Focus Groups
Cancer Biology
Research Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication
Liver cancer
RESEARCH DETAIL
My lab studies the molecular biology of Hepatitis B Viruses (HBV). We are interested in understanding: (1) how HBV uses to the host cell to carry out replication; and (2) the relationship between genome synthesis, capsid maturation, and virus envelopment. To better understand how HBV uses the host cell for replication I have used imaging techniques to visualize HBV replication in the cytoplasm. We made the unexpected observation that the majority of the HBV Pol is localizes to the mitochondria. We will attempt to elucidate the role of HBV Pol at the mitochondria. To better the relationship between genome synthesis, capsid maturation, and virus envelopment, I have been collaborating with Dr. Adam Zlotnick at Indiana University, an expert on the structure and biophysics of HBV capsids. We will attempt to visualize the sites of capsid assembly, pgRNA encapsidation, DNA and capsid maturation, and virus envelopment.