W. Hammerschmidt

Systematic analysis of Epstein-Barr virus genes and their individual contribution to virus production and composition

This study systematically analyzes EBV genes to identify those that improve virus production, composition, and uptake by human B cells.

Inhibition of PLK1-dependent EBNA2 phosphorylation promotes lymphomagenesis in EBV-infected mice.

The paper shows that inhibiting PLK1-dependent EBNA2 phosphorylation enhances EBNA2 activity, promoting lymphoma development in EBV-infected mice.

Multiple viral microRNAs regulate interferon release and signaling early during infection with Epstein-Barr virus

This study identifies EBV miRNAs that regulate type I interferon responses in B cells and pDCs during early infection, dampening IFN- secretion.

Highly efficient CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knockout in primary human B cells for functional genetic studies of Epstein-Barr virus infection

Human ORC/MCM density is low in active genes and correlates with replication time but does not solely define replication initiation zones

The paper examines ORC/MCM density in relation to replication timing and initiation zones, finding no direct correlation with initiation but a link to replication timing.

Micro RNAs are minor constituents of extracellular vesicles and are hardly delivered to target cells

This study investigates whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) deliver microRNAs to target cells and found that miRNAs are not effectively delivered or functional.

Inducible transgene expression in PDX models in vivo identifies KLF4 as therapeutic target for B-ALL

The paper uses PDX models to show KLF4 re-expression reduces B-ALL leukemia load and sensitizes tumors to chemotherapy, suggesting Azacitidine could regulate KLF4 as a therapeutic option.

Active transcription regulates ORC/MCM distribution whereas replication timing correlates with ORC density in human cells

The paper compares ChIP-seq profiles of ORC and MCM proteins with replication timing to show that active transcription affects ORC/MCM distribution and replication timing correlates with ORC density in human cells.

The first days in the life of naïve human B-lymphocytes infected with Epstein-Barr virus

This study identifies EBNA2 as essential for early EBV infection of naive B-cells, showing it drives activation, proliferation, and prevents cell death, while other latent genes have minimal or no effect during the pre-latent phase.

Epstein-Barr virus inactivates the transcriptome and disrupts the chromatin architecture of its host cell in the first phase of lytic reactivation

This study shows that EBV lytic reactivation causes global chromatin remodeling and transcriptome disruption in host cells before viral DNA replication.

Epstein-Barr virus reprograms human B-lymphocytes immediately in the pre-latent phase of infection

This study shows EBV rapidly reprograms primary human B-lymphocytes transcriptionally within 24 hours of infection, leading to metabolic changes and cell cycle entry by day three.

BZLF1 interacts with the chromatin remodeler INO80 promoting escape from latent infections with Epstein-Barr virus

This study identifies BZLF1's role in reactivating Epstein-Barr virus by interacting with the chromatin remodeler INO80 to overcome epigenetic silencing.