Current goals are to test both protective and prophylactic vaccines using animal models of papillomavirus infections. L1 virus-like particles as defined by monoclonal antibodies. J. Virol . J. Virol . There are a number of research projects currently being conducted in Dr. Gary Clawson's laboratories, with the major area of interest focused upon early changes in carcinogenesis.
Investigations currently focus upon two areas.
One is the nature of the RNA transcripts showing altered compartmentation. In addition, a number of transgenic models are under development, particularly for novel tissue-targeted gene knockout techniques. A major emphasis is currently focused on development of novel therapeutic ribozyme reagents for treatment of human papillomavirus and hepatitis B-virus related diseases, with the expectation that clinical trials will commence in the near future. Other collaborative projects examine mechanisms by which estrogens may act as an initiator via redox cycling, and development of in vivo models for study and treatment of prostate and breast cancers. Ren L, Clawson G. Studies on rLMP7, a b -subunit of the multicatalytic proteinase.