Jianming Hu

Jianming Hu, MD, MS, PhD, serves as Professor in the Department of Cell and Biological Systems at Penn State University, with primary affiliation to the Penn State Cancer Institute's Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis program. His research program focuses on fundamental molecular mechanisms of Hepadnaviruses, particularly Hepatitis B Virus assembly, replication, and persistence.

Dr. Hu's expertise spans virology, structural biology, and computational modeling, with core investigations into viral capsid dynamics, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation, and subviral particle architecture. Recent work integrates biophysical techniques with spatial modeling to dissect HBV replication pathways and identify therapeutic vulnerabilities in chronic infection.

Analysis of 2023-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in HBV structural biology (subviral particle symmetry/lipid dynamics), cccDNA detection methodologies, and computational simulation of viral infection-drug interactions. This trajectory demonstrates increasing methodological convergence between structural virology and systems biology approaches.

Dr. Hu maintains active NIAID funding through five major research projects:

• Mechanisms of Hepadnavirus Assembly and Replication (PI, 9/14/18-8/31/25)
• Regulation of Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly (PI, 9/23/16-8/31/21)
• Molecular Mechanism of Hepadnavirus Persistence (PI, 2/15/08-1/31/14)
• International Conference on Hepatitis B Viruses (PI, 8/1/04-7/31/05)
• Mechanisms of Hepadnavirus Assembly and Replication (CoPI, 2/15/99-8/31/18)

His laboratory operates within the Penn State Cancer Institute infrastructure, maintaining national and international collaborations evidenced by multi-institutional publications and conference leadership. Current research emphasizes translating structural insights into therapeutic strategies targeting HBV persistence mechanisms.