Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hepatitis B core protein (HBc) is the major component of viral nucleocapsid and is involved in multiple steps of hepatitis B virus (HBV) life cycle, e.g. DNA replication, viral maturation and release. Using mass spectrometry analyses our group identified several HBc interactors that are involved in ubiquitin proteasome pathway, epigenetic control mechanism of transcription, and cell defense. Student will combine virological and molecular biology approach with biochemical characterization to analyze these HBc interactors and elucidate their role in HBV life cycle.