Antonito T. Panganiban, PhD

My research program focuses on the replication strategies, pathogenesis of emerging RNA viruses, and antiviral strategies against RNA viruses that are human pathogens. My graduate and postdoctoral training was in phage RNA processing, and retrovirus replication, under the guidance of Helen Whiteley and Howard Temin, respectively. Most of my lab’s recent work has centered on Sin nombre hantavirus (SNV), which is a Category A member of the bunyavirus family. This work has elucidated novel and fundamental replication strategies and during infection, resulted in the identification of novel cellular factors required for efficient bunyavirus replication, and defines the host response to infection by SNV and other bunyaviruses. I am currently involved in a large scale, collaborative study using nonhuman primates that will define the hallmarks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection on fetal development and ZIKV-induced pathogenicity. I am also co-chair of the “ZIKV Working Group (ZWG).” The ZWG is charged with coordinating and tracking progress on nonhuman primate models of ZIKV infection within the seven National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) in the U.S. Important roles of the ZWG include facilitating collaboration and communication among members of the NPRCs on NHP models of ZIKV infection and pathogenesis. We are using complementary approaches to compare and establish NHP models for ZIKV infection. In addition to these research activities, I am co-director of the PDQC, which routinely evaluates antibody- and nucleic acid-based samples from the macaque breeding colony and samples from research projects at the center.