Targeting miRNA biogenesis to treat herpes simplex virus latency

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores in most infected people, but can also cause blindness and fatal brain infections. The biggest problem with HSV is that it never completely goes away - the virus hides in a part of the nervous system and can come out to cause disease over and over again. We have recently discovered a gene in people that the virus needs to maintain itself in this hidden state. In this project we will use this exciting discovery to work towards a cure for HSV.