معرفی
Dr. David Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews. His research focuses on understanding virus-host interactions, particularly the roles of innate immunity (interferon responses) and ubiquitin-like proteins such as ISG15 and NEDD8 during viral infections. He leads a multidisciplinary lab studying paramyxoviruses and herpesviruses, with a focus on developing antiviral strategies targeting post-translational modifications. Key contributions include identifying NEDDylation as a therapeutic target for Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and advancing parainfluenza virus-based vectors for recombinant protein production.
- Education: Not explicitly stated in provided texts.
- Affiliations: School of Biology, University of St Andrews; Biomedical Sciences Research Complex; Principal Investigator for grants from Wellcome Trust and MRC.
Research Interests
Dr. Hughes' work explores how viruses manipulate cellular pathways to evade immune responses, with emphasis on:
- Ubiquitin-like protein modifications (ISG15, NEDD8, SUMO) during viral infections
- Mechanisms of antiviral interferon signaling
- Paramyxovirus and herpesvirus pathogenesis
- Development of novel antiviral compounds targeting cellular pathways
His lab combines virology, proteomics, and genetic screening techniques to uncover host factors critical for viral replication.
Article Trends
Recent publications highlight advancements in:
- Interferon signaling modulation via ISG15-USP18 interactions
- Parainfluenza virus-based vectors for biopharmaceuticals
- Role of CK2 kinase in influenza virus RNA capping
- Herpesvirus lytic cycle regulation by ion channels (Kv1.3)
Scientific Awards
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA, 2017)
Advising & Grants
Current PhD student: Sujith Surendranath. Active grants include:
- ISSF Round 7 (Wellcome Trust, 2022-2023): Developed a highly sensitive interferon reporter cell line
- PIV5-based vectors grant (MRC, 2023-2025): Engineering parainfluenza virus vectors for therapeutic applications
Labs & Teams
His lab is part of the Biomedical Sciences Research Complex at St Andrews, collaborating with teams specializing in virology, proteomics, and computational biology. Key collaborations include work with Prof. R. Randall (viral vectors), Prof. M. Weekes (proteomics), and Prof. B. Goodbourn (antiviral mechanisms).
