Viral connections to cancer
Using capture-seq approaches pioneered in work with the USDA on foreign and emerging animal diseases, we are collaborating with physicians in the US and abroad to screen clinical samples and tumor biopsies for the genetic signatures of viruses.
We are also studying genetic mutations and gene expression patterns in both host cells and viruses in order to better understand the contributions of viruses to cancer and to identify molecular pathways that might be exploited in the development of antiviral or anticancer therapeutics.
The McIntosh Lab has a variety of ongoing and recently completed research programs supported by the financial contributions of the University of Florida, Department of Pediatrics; the Children’s Miracle Network; USDA APHIS; DHS S&T; and NIH NCI and NIH NIDCR.
Sponsored Research Programs
Active Projects
Regulation of latent and lytic phases of EBV
PIs: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D., and Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025
International Biobank for Virus-associated Lymphomas and Cancers
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: Children’s Miracle Network (2909CMCNT)
9/01/2023 – 08/31/2028
Exposing synthetic lethal vulnerabilities in EBV-positive AIDS-NHL through novel replication dependency factors
PI: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D.
Co-I: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: NATL INST OF HLTH NIDCR
NIH, NIDCR R01 DE032623
09/2022 – 08/2027
Synthetic lethal targeting of EBV-positive diffuse large B cell lymphomas in persons living with HIV
PIs: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D., Ph.D; and Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Overlap with current application: None
Sponsor: NATL INST OF HLTH NCI
NIH NCI 1U01 CA275310
6/1/2023 – 5/31/2025
FL 2023 NBAF Fellowship Program
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: US DEPT OF AG APHIS
USDA APHIS CRM 6000027242
6/1/2023 – 5/31/2025
NBAF Fellowship Program in Emerging Diseases
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponosr: USDA APHIS CRM 6000027242
Completed Projects
3/23/2022 – 6/30/2024
Biophysical characterization of the EBV Latent Membrane Protein-1 Oncochannel
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: Children’s Miracle Network (2909CMCNT)
Jul 2023 – Jun 2024
Lytic Induction Project
PI: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D.
Sponsor: VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS
7/1/21 – 6/1/23
Authentic Human Antiviral Antibody Discovery and Cloning.
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: Children’s Miracle Network (2909CMCNT)
Mar 2022 – Aug 2022
Studying the capacity of the EBV protein kinase (BGLF4) plus ganciclovir vs acyclovir to induce cell killing in non-EBV infected A549 cells.
PI: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D.
Sponsor: VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS
9/30/19 – 9/29/22
Recombinant Adeno-associated virus as a long-acting passive antibody vaccine against foreign animal diseases.
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: DHS S&T | RSFR-19-00104
Dec 2021 – Dec 2021
Studying the capacity of the EBV protein kinase (BGLF4) plus ganciclovir to induce cell killing in non-EBV infected 293 cells.
PI: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D.
Sponsor: VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS
9/1/20 – 12/31/20
Validation of a COVID-19 Point-of-Care Virus Test.
PI: Michael McIntosh, Ph.D.
Sponsor: Children’s Miracle Network (2909CMCNT)
Nov 2021 – Sep 2022
Nanotinostat and ganciclovir in an oncolytic strategy against EBV-lymphomas
PI: Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, M.D.
Sponsor: VIRACTA THERAPEUTICS