The oncogenic virology program under Dr. Geib's direction is primarily concerned with the mechanisms involved in genetic and immunological resistance to viralinduced oncogenesis. Study is being conducted in genetic resistance to oncogenic viruses using the Friend virus Fv-2 resistance gene model.
Friend virus is an acutely oncogenic murine retrovirus.
Fv-2 is an autosomal recessive gene located on chromosome 9 in mice. The mechanisms involved in genetically controlled resistance to oncogenic retroviruses are being approached at the molecular level using recombinant DNA, gene transfer, and immunoprecipitation. This project is directed toward identifying the antigenic determinants of virally encoded proteins that are recognized by the immune system. The major emphasis of the research is to examine the role of the neuroendocrine system in regulating the immune response to tumor transplantation antigens. Selected Publications Rayhel, E. J., D. A. Prentice, P. S. Tabor, W. H. Flurkey, R. W. Geib , R. F. Laherty, S. B. Schnitzer, and J. P. Hughes.