Shannon Kenney
Credentials: Oncology Department
Position title: Epstein-Barr Virus pathogenesis & treatment
Email: skenney@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 265-0533
Address:
Wi Institute Medical Research
1111 Highland Ave
Madison, WI 53705
LAB WEBSITE:
FOCUS GROUP:
Virology
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
Dr. Kenney’s research effort has been focused upon understanding the molecular regulation and pathogenesis of the human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Her work in EBV spans a broad range of topics, including viral gene regulation, the effects of the virus on the host immune response, and the development of novel, EBV-targeted therapies for EBV-positive tumors. She has extensively studied the mechanisms by which both EBV immediate-early proteins, BZLF1 and BRLF1, activate the lytic form of viral infection. Dr. Kenney is now translating the results of these basic molecular studies into the development of new, EBV-targeted therapies for EBV-positive tumors. Her group is also developing a new humanized mouse model to study EBV pathogenesis and tumor formation in vivo.