We have two major areas of research: respiratory viruses and newly emerging pathogens. 

Our lab uses tractable model viruses to learn about niche-specific factors that influence viral infection and evolution.

Orchard Lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Our research is driven by a desire to understand how these microscopic machines both replicate themselves and, at the same time, manage to evade, manipulate, and counter a myriad of host defenses. 

The Hendrixson Lab is largely focused on exploring the biology of polarly-flagellated bacterial pathogens….and junk food, donuts, and cake.

The Schoggins Lab studies innate immunity at the virus-host interface. We are interested in mechanisms of cellular antiviral defense and the role these responses play during viral disease.

The Moreland and Potera Labs utilize basic science approaches, in vivo models, and clinical studies to investigate cellular functions of the innate immune system.

The Norgard Laboratory is engaged in three areas of infectious disease research: syphilis, Lyme disease, and tularemia.

The Yan Lab studies molecular mechanisms of innate immunity in infection, autoimmune diseases, cancer immunology and neurodegenative diseases.

The overarching goals of our lab are to understand the posttranscriptional mechanisms of gene expression and regulation in the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and its human host cell. We are particularly focused on the mechanisms and regulation of nuclear RNA stability, polyadenylation, and mRNA processing by viral and by host cell factors.