Virus-host interactions in hepatitis B virus infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents an important human pathogen causing both acute and chronic hepatitis. It is estimated that over 240 million people are chronically infected and more than 780,000 people die every year due to complications of HBV, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our laboratory is focused on studying basic aspects of the HBV infection. In particular we are interested in the identification and characterization of cellular factors that regulate the HBV infection, its persistence and its pathogenesis. The final goal of our studies is to define the mechanisms by which HBV establishes persistence in the infected cell, with the hope that this knowledge will help developing new curative antiviral strategies for the treatment of chronic HBV infections.