Dodson Home Page Research Interests Eukaryotes initiate DNA replication at multiple origins of replication in a process that is highly coordinated both spatially and temporally. Precise interactions between factors that determine when, where, and how chromosomal replication takes place are integral to this process. My research uses herpes viruses as model systems for characterizing and understanding these interactions at the level of structure and function.
Herpes viruses serve as models of higher eukaryotic DNA replication for several reasons.
Herpes viruses are genetically well characterized, and the complete nucleotide sequences of several herpes viruses are known. These viruses can persist in a latent state in the infected host and can later be activated to a lytic state, implying that their replication is regulated. Like higher eukaryotes, herpes viruses possess multiple origins of replication, and they encode most of the proteins required for the lytic phase of their replication. My research focuses on two of these enzymes. The first enzyme specifically binds to distinct DNA sequences in viral replication origins and has weak DNA- dependent ATPase and DNA helicase activities.