Dr. Jay C Brown, Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at University of Virginia Cancer Center, USA obtained his BA, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. He was awarded the Ph.D. at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. Dr. Brown was a post-doctoral fellow at MRC Lab of Molecular Biology, Cambridge UK

Dr. Jay C Brown major research interests focus on Structure and Assembly of the Herpes Simplex Virus Capsid.

The Brown lab studies herpesvirus infections that affect cancer patients with emphasis on HSV-1 and KSHV. In both cases, the goal is to examine the structure and assembly of the virus capsid with the idea that such studies will suggest the nature of novel anti-herpes therapeutic agents directed against capsid assembly. Although most of the studies are carried out with HSV-1 and KSHV, it is expected that the results will clarify capsid assembly as it occurs in other herpes viruses and perhaps in other virus families as well.

Studies in the laboratory have defined the basic steps involved in capsid formation. Using an in vitro assembly system, they have recently clarified the way the portal becomes incorporated into capsids as they are assembled. The assembly project has led to the identification of an inhibitor of HSV-1 replication, WAY-150138, that acts by antagonizing incorporation of the portal as the capsid is formed. The lab is now attempting to define the mechanism of WAY-150138 action more closely and determine whether it or related thiourea compounds may be useful for therapy against herpesvirus infections.