We have co-evolved with our viruses. From a genetic standpoint, viruses are engaged in a chess match with their human hosts; rapid viral evolution allows them to acquire new genes (or modify existing ones) that undermine host defences. In the McCormick Lab, we study the properties of these viral genes. Viruses are excellent teachers, and the study of these viral countermeasures often provides new insights into the fundamental biology of cells and the human immune system. We use this new knowledge to inform the development of diagnostic tests for virus surveillance as well as interventions like vaccines and antivirals.
We study a few key viruses that have big impacts on human health:
Influenza Viruses: These viruses cause seasonal respiratory infections and every few decades a completely new strain emerges that causes a pandemic. These viruses can move between human and animal hosts, and they mutate rapidly and share genes with each other. We are investigating fundamental aspects of influenza virus biology and interactions with human host cells, which may inform the development of new vaccines and antiviral drugs. We are also using our knowledge of these fascinating viruses to help develop a controlled human infection model (CHIM) for seasonal influenza viruses with our colleagues at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC). We are also part of a CIHR-funded collaborative effort to develop new diagnostics for H5N1 influenza A viruses, led by Dr. Denys Khaperskyy.
Coronaviruses: During the COVID-19 pandemic we began to study SARS-CoV-2 as well as seasonal ‘common cold’ coronaviruses like OC43 and 229E. In additional to studying fundamental aspects of the virus-host interface at the cellular level, we are also applying this knowledge to discover and develop new interventions like antivirals (here, here, and here) and vaccines.
Herpesviruses: All eight known human herpesviruses have co-evolved with our human (and primate) ancestors for millennia. These viruses have relatively large genomes, and many of their genes have not yet been characterized. They all share the ability to establish long-term persistent infection of their hosts. In other words, like the T-shirt says, "love is temporary, but herpes is forever..." We study several human herpesviruses, with a primary focus on human herpesvirus-8, also known as the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). KSHV is the infectious cause of Kaposi's sarcoma and several other AIDS-related cancers. We are still figuring out how this fascinating virus evades detection by the immune system and causes cancer. The accumulating evidence suggests that KSHV-linked cancers are caused by the combined action of dozens of viral genes.