The Toth laboratory investigates the biology and the pathogenesis of oncogenic herpesviruses.
KSHV is responsible for the development of the vascular tumor Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and two B-cell lymphomas: primary effusion lymphoma and a subset of multicentric Castleman disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. KSHV is a true oral herpesvirus that is shed in the oral cavity, and KSHV infection can lead to the development of oral KS, the most common oral malignancy in patients with AIDS. Following replication in oral epithelial cells, KSHV may be transmitted to endothelial cells and B lymphocytes, where it establishes latency, resulting in lifelong infection of the host. Our research program uses KSHV mutants and structure-function biochemical assays combined with proteomics and genomics approaches to investigate the roles of specific viral and host factors that are critical for persistent KSHV infection, viral immune evasion, and viral oncogenesis. A better understanding of the viral and host epigenetic factors that regulate KSHV infection may lead to the development of novel strategies to prevent KSHV infection and pathogenesis. KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV KSHV
NEWS about lab life and achievements of our collaborative team – read here
We are located in Gainesville, Florida, a vibrant college town surrounded by abundant natural beauty. Beautiful beaches along both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast, including St. Augustine, are within a 1–2 hour drive. Major nearby cities include Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa.
Mailing address:
Zsolt Toth, PhD
1395 Center Drive
PO Box 100424
Gainesville, FL 32610-0424
Phone: (352)294-8461
Email: ztoth@dental.ufl.edu
Welcome to the Toth laboratory (PI: Zsolt Toth) 