Richard
Longnecker, PhD
Professor
Department of Microbiology – Immunology
To Contact Dr. Longnecker:
phone: 312-503-0467
e-mail: r-longnecker@northwestern.edu
Dr. Longnecker's website
PubMed
Reference Lookup
Research Interests
Dr. Longnecker’s research, which uses molecular genetic approaches,
focuses on the mechanisms of Epstein-Barr virus transformation of human B
lymphocytes and the link of the Epstein-Barr virus with human cancers. His
laboratory is also interested in understanding the ability of the Epstein-Barr
virus to persist and remain latent in a human host and in the infection of
susceptible cells. Both the process of viral entry and the cancers associated
within the human population are influenced by host genetic factors.
Dr. Longnecker’s
laboratory recently determined that only certain alleles of HLA Class II function
in the process of EBV entry. Overall, the studies in his lab will led to a
better understanding of the virus life cycle, signal transduction and cell
growth regulation in lymphocytes, and the importance of human genes in EBV
infection and the subsequent development of EBV associated disease. Ultimately
these studies will provide insight for the development of novel therapeutics
for the treatment of EBV related malignancies and disease.