معرفی
Jason W. Upton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, where he conducts research on herpesvirus-host interactions and innate immunity. He previously served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin from 2012 to 2018 before joining Auburn University.
His educational background includes a Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis (2006), followed by NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowships at Emory University School of Medicine (2006–2009) and the Emory Vaccine Center (2009–2011).
Dr. Upton's research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of betaherpesviruses, particularly Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and its murine model (MCMV), with an emphasis on host innate immune defenses and viral evasion strategies. His lab investigates pathways like ZBP1/DAI-mediated necroptosis, a form of programmed cell death critical in antiviral immunity. His interdisciplinary approach combines virology, immunology, molecular biology, and cell biology to understand how viruses manipulate host responses.
The recent publications highlight a strong trend in understanding RNA and DNA sensing by ZBP1, activation of necroptosis during infections with influenza, reovirus, vaccinia, and herpesviruses, and the development of novel electrochemical methods for rapid virus detection. His work bridges fundamental mechanisms of cell death and translational applications in diagnostics.
- NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, Emory University School of Medicine (2006–2009)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Emory Vaccine Center (2009–2011)
Dr. Upton mentors research in his lab at Auburn University and teaches courses such as Advanced Virology (undergraduate and graduate) and Cell Biology Lab. His lab develops innovative techniques for studying virus-host interactions and contributes to understanding congenital viral diseases and immunocompromised host infections. He utilizes both in vivo models and cutting-edge molecular tools to dissect viral pathogenesis and immune evasion.
His laboratory, the Upton Lab, is based in Funchess Hall and focuses on elucidating how viruses like MCMV and HCMV persist and evade immune detection, with long-term goals of improving diagnostics and therapeutics for viral diseases.
