Shivam Mohanty

What is the basic chemical structure of DNA and how is it modified during viral integration?

Started May 23, 2024

Abstract or project description

Abstract Section 1: Internal Chemical Interactions in DNA Different types of bonds in DNA - covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, nitrogen bonds Content levels of elements in DNA Enzymes in DNA transcription, replication, translation What bonds each enzyme forms/breaks in the DNA Section 2: Mechanisms of viral infection and how it affects DNA Different types of viruses - dsDNA, ssDNA, RNA General explanation of how viruses induce change in the DNA/its elements How the different bonds are disrupted by virus incorporation into DNA Genetic factors that predispose a person to viral infection Virus # 1 - incorporated into DNA, how the chemical interactions change Virus # 2 - incorporated into DNA, how the chemical interactions change Virus # 3 - incorporated into DNA, how the chemical interactions change Section 3: Alterations in DNA by the virus & transmission post-viral infection + clinical presentation (signs, symptoms, labs, physical exam findings) Look into how virus incorporation into DNA causes pH changes in the body that lead to illness symptoms Medications used to treat viral infections Symptoms of viral infections for each virus Long-term effects of viral insertion into DNA & mutations → ex: cancer Treatments that specifically affect the structure of DNA Conclusion References

The Workings behind HTLV - 1 driven Adult T - Cell Lymphoma/Leukemia

Started June 22, 2022

Abstract or project description

HTLV - 1 (Human T - lymphotropic Virus -1) is a retrovirus that can cause a non-Hodgkin’s ATL (Adult T - Luekemia/ Lymphoma). This virus can develop into ATL after a latency period of 30+ years after initial infection and integration of the viral genome into the host genome. This disease can be hard to treat in it’s “Acute” or “Lymphomatous” forms. This virus can be spread through bodily fluids such as semen or breast milk from an infected person. Although less than 5% of people who have HTLV - 1 develop ATL most patients with ATL pass away. ATL is currently known to have 4 subtypes; Smoldering, Chronic, Acute, and Lymphomatous. They vary by their location and progression within the body. Currently there is no vaccine against the virus, and ATL has no set treatment. The virus driven ATL is known to have low genetic diversity across the endemic regions of southern Japan, South America, The Caribbean,and tropical Africa. This is interesting since ATL has been previously thought to been driven by viral proteins rather than host genetics. This evidence has shown that this virus can develop based on the host’s genes. Furthermore the studies of the blood samples from the patients infected with HTLV - 1 also show that the patients have low genetic diversity. This suggests host driven genetic factors that drive the development of ATL. In addition the integration sites of the viral genome are near host cancer genetic markers. In this review we present the evidence gathered to date that demonstrates the correlation between patient genetics and HTLV - 1 driven ATL.