Epigenetic reprogramming of B cells in viral persistence, disease pathogenesis and tumour immunosurveillance

Professor Allday aims to understand how latent infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) epigenetically reprograms mature human B cells and their progeny. This involves viral proteins manipulating host polycomb-group proteins to repress the transcription of specific host genes – including at least two tumour suppressors. The goal is to not only determine the role of these processes in EBV biology and EBV-associated cancers but also provide unique insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning polycomb-group-mediated gene repression and how they can be manipulated by viruses and perhaps other microorganisms.