Gabriella Campadelli Fiume

Dr. Campadelli Fiume's research focuses on the molecular basis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) entry into susceptible cells, and on engineering of candidate oncolytic HSVs retargeted to tumor-specific receptors. HSV entry is a multistep process. First, gD binds to one of its receptors and triggers virion-cell fusion. Fusion is executed by the conserved glycoproteins gH/gL and gB. Major accomplishments by the labs were the discovery of nectin as HSV receptor, and the triggering activity of receptor-bound gD, including the identification of gD profusion domain. Current aims include identification of the role of gH/gL in fusion. Starting from this background we have modified gD and re-addressed this molecule to the tumor-specific receptor HER-2. She has provided the first proof of principle evidence that retargeted HSVs exert antitumor activity in vivo.