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The Garcea laboratory studies the structure and function of small DNA viruses, with emphasis on polyoma and papillomaviruses.  In particular we are currently interested in the nuclear organization of sites for virus transcription, replication, and assembly. In addition, previous structural studies of human papillomavirus (HPV) have led to translational research concerning the development of next generation vaccines.  In collaboration with the Randolph lab, we have developed technologies that produce highly thermostable, single-shot, prime-boost vaccines, and have expanded studies to a variety of vaccines of global health interest. 

Current interests are: 

  • developing thermostable, single-shot, prime-boost vaccine formulations for HPV, rabies virus and HIV  

  • understanding the interplay of polyomavirus genome replication with the host DNA damage and repair response 

  • characterizing the composition of viral replication and repair subdomains in the nucleus, and the role polyomavirus small t protein plays in their architecture and function 

The laboratory offers an environment for both basic and translational research, with opportunities for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and clinical fellows.Â