Dr. Korba is a Research Professor at the Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Summary:

• Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1981
• At Georgetown since: 1984
• Current lab has capacity for both new PhD students and Post Doctoral Fellows
• Contact: korbabe@georgetown.edu

Research Area(s):

The laboratory is focused on antiviral therapies against hepatitis B and C viruses using a variety of cell culture and enzyme-based technologies. Investigations examine a wide range of parameters (DNA, RNA, proteins), both viral and cellular utilizing a variety of molecular biology-based techniques. Studies extend from basic screening (e.g. drug discovery) to mechanisms of action.

Until recently, Dr. Korba was part opf the research faculty within the Division of Molecular Virology at the Dept of Microbilogy & Immunology in Rockville, MD. DMVI faculty and research staff have now permanently relocated to the Washington, DC Georgetown University Medical Center Campus.

Over the years, members of the DMVI laboratory have conducted investigations, often involving collaborations with various NIAID scientists, grantees and contractors, in projects involving rhinoviruses, mouse hepatitis virus, influenza viruses (equine and human), parainfluenza 1, 2 & 3 viruses, measles virus, virions of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, agents of nonbacterial gastroenteritis (Norwalk agent and rotaviruses), adenoviruses, vaccinia virus, respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis E virus, woodchuck hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency virus, simian immunodeficiency virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 and human herpesvirus-7.

The research efforts have ranged from basic virology to studies aimed at defining the natural history of infection and disease, diagnostic methodology, prevention by passive and active immunization and treatment. These activities have resulted in many publications in the scientific literature

Recent Publications:

Ciancio, A, Smedile, A, Rizzetto, M, Lagget, M, Gerin, J, and Korba, B. Identification of HBV DNA Sequences that are Predictive of Response to Lamivudine Therapy. Hepatology 2004 39:64-73.

Iyer, RP, Jin, Y, Roland, A, Morrey JD, Mounir, S, Korba, B. Phosphorothioate Di- and Tri-nucleotides as a Novel Class of Anti-HBV Agents. Antivir Agents Chem Chemother. 2004. 48: 2199-2205.

Jacob, JR, Korba, BE, Cote PJ, Toshkov, I, Delaney, WE IV, Gerin, JL, Tennant, BC. Suppression of Lamivudine-Resistant B-domain mutants by Adefovir Dipivoxil in the Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Model. Antivir. Res. 2004. 63:115-121.

Korba, BE, Cote, PJ, Menne, S, Toshkov, I, Baldwin, BH, Wells, FV, Tennant BC, Gerin, JL. Clevudine Therapy with Vaccine Inhibits Progression of Chronic Hepatitis and Delays Onset of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Infection. Antivir. Ther. 2004. 9:937-952.

Tennant BC, Toshkov IA, Peek SF, Jacob JR, Menne S, Hornbuckle WE, Schinazi RD, Korba BE, Cote PJ, Gerin JL. Hepatocellular carcinoma in the woodchuck model of hepatitis B virus infection. Gastroenterology. 2004. 127:S283-93.

Jacob JR, Korba BE, You, JE, Tennant, BC, Kim, Y-H. Korean Medicinal Plant Extracts Exhibit Antiviral Potency Against Viral Hepatitis. 2004. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 10: 1019-26.

Okuse, C, Rinaudo JA, Farrar, K, Wells F, Korba, BE. Enhancement of Antiviral Activity Against Hepatitis C Virus In Vitro by Interferon Combination Therapy. Antivir. Res. 2005. 65:23-34.

Casey, J, Cote, PJ, Toshkov, IA, Chu, CK, Gerin, JL, Tennant, BC, Korba, BE. 2005. Clevudine Inhibits Hepatitis Delta Virus Viremia: a Pilot Study in Chronically Infected Woodchucks. Antivir. Agents Chemother. 49;4396-4399.

Yang, M, Schneller, SW, Korba, BE. 2005. 5? Homoneplanocin A inhibits hepatitis B and C. J. Med. Chem.J Med Chem 48:5043-6.

Iyer RP, Padmanabhan S, Zhang G, Morrey JD, Korba BE. 2005. Nucleotide analogs as novel anti-hepatitis B virus agents. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 5:520-528.

Contact: korbabe@georgetown.edu

MedLine publications link