Melanie Ott

Melanie Ott, MD, PhD is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on HIV-1, Hepatitis B and C Viruses (HBV and HCV), Zika virus, and SARS-CoV-2. She has established four main research technologies: rapid quantitative tests, human organoids, a viral protein library, and transcriptomics and chromatin biology.

Dr. Ott's laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding viral-host interactions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic where her team applied their expertise to develop new diagnostic tools and identify shared host factors for coronaviruses. Her research spans both basic virology and translational applications, with numerous NIH-funded projects investigating HIV latency, viral replication mechanisms, and therapeutic interventions.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on SARS-CoV-2 variants, viral protein structures, host-pathogen interactions, and innovative approaches to viral diagnostics and therapeutics. The research shows a clear trend toward understanding conserved viral mechanisms across different pathogens to identify panviral therapeutic targets. Her work increasingly integrates advanced technologies including organoid models, structural biology, and high-throughput screening approaches.

Dr. Ott serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH grants, including projects on HIV obstruction by programmed epigenetics, modeling intestinal dysfunction in HIV infection with organoid technology, and harnessing RNA-binding properties for HIV-1 self-testing. Her laboratory has developed important models for studying viral infections in human-relevant systems, particularly using organoid technology to investigate host responses.

Her work with human airway organoids has provided critical insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and host responses, while her HIV research continues to explore epigenetic mechanisms of viral latency. The laboratory's research bridges fundamental virology with translational applications, with implications for both pandemic preparedness and chronic viral disease management.