Dr. Sally Sarawar's research group is studying mechanisms of immune control of persistent viral infections. Certain types of viruses can persist in a latent or inactive form in the body and are controlled by the immune system in normal healthy people. However, these viruses can reactivate in immune-compromised individuals, such as patients with HIV-AIDS or transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, causing a range of diseases including certain types of cancer. In addition, persistent viral infections have been implicated in the development of cancer in people with seemingly normal immune systems. For example, Epstein Barr virus is implicated in the development of nasopharyngeal cancer in Northern China and Burkitt's lymphoma in certain regions of Africa. Understanding how the immune system controls these viruses in healthy individuals may lead to the design of novel therapies including small molecule drugs, vaccines and antibody-based drugs to combat viral reactivation and treat the diseases caused by persistent viral infection.

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