Marta Gaglia
Position title: Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology and the Insitute for Molecular Virology
Email: marta.gaglia@wisc.edu
Address:
Bock Laboratories Room 821
Research Overview
Viruses control cells in unexpected ways. They use a small number of proteins to redirect host pathways and cause large changes in the physiology of cells and organisms. In the Gaglia lab, we are interested in how virus-cell interactions play a role in the control and subversion of anti-viral innate immune responses, as innate immune responses have a crucial and dualistic role on outcome of infection. They can act as a barrier for the virus, reducing viral replication and disease. However, they can also cause dangerous tissue damage, especially if they are hyperactivated or misdirected.
We currently focus on virus-cell interactions in infections with the human respiratory virus influenza A virus and the human oncogenic virus Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). By studying both RNA and DNA viruses, we have a unique vantage point to observe both conserved and individual mechanisms of host manipulation.
Our goal is to solve scientific puzzles and dig deeper to link molecular events during viral infections to human disease in a supportive environment that fosters learning and growth.