Welcome to the Laboratory of Dr. Keith Jerome

Our research focuses on the chronic and latent phases of virus infections, virus immune evasion mechanisms, and potential curative therapeutic approaches to these infections. Our most recent work involves the use of enzymes we classify as rare-cutting endonucleases that can specifically target latent viral DNA for cleavage. 

Upon cleavage of viral DNA mutations are introduced in viral coding sequences and this results in virus inactivation. This approach may allow precise inactivation of functional viral DNA within infected cell reservoirs, and offers the prospect of a cure for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and herpes simplex virus infections.