Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience - Division of Intramural Research
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Eugene O. Major Ph.D., Senior Investigator
Dr. Major received his A.B. degree from Holy Cross College and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois Medical Center. Following academic appointments as Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Medical School and the Loyola University Medical School in Chicago and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at Loyola, Dr. Major joined the Neurology Institute at the NIH in 1981. He has developed a basic research laboratory focusing on mechanisms of viral pathogenesis in the human nervous system, which includes JC Virus-induced demyelination, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, and HIV-1 associated encephalopathy. As Chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Dr. Major’s investigations focus on the biology of virus infections in nervous system cells derived from human brain and the molecular regulation which controls cellular and viral gene expression.
Laboratory Staff
Karen Augustine, Office Manager 301-594- 6270
Blanche Curfman, B.S. Biologist 301-496- 2043
Linda Durham, M.Sc Microbiologist 301-496- 5691
Jean Hou, B.S. Biologist 301-435- 6834
Peter Jensen, B.S. Biologist 301-496- 2899
Diane Lawrence, Ph.D. Special Volunteer 301-402- 3605
Chiara Monaco-Kushner, Ph.D. Staff Scientist 301-496- 1806
Andre Phillips, M.Sc Special Volunteer 301-402- 3605
Veerasamy Ravichandran, Ph.D. Contractor 301-594- 3248
Caroline Ryschkewitsch, B.S. Medical Technologist
Bruce Sabath, B.S. Special Volunteer 301-402- 3605
Lynnae Schwartz, M.D. Senior Research Fellow 301-594- 3226
Research Interests
Investigators study viral infections of the human CNS, concentrating on virus-cell interactions and the molecular regulation of viral susceptibility. Infection with the neurotropic viruses, JCV and HIV-1, can result in white matter diseases of the brain, although both viruses also infect immune cells. Lytic JCV infection of oligodendrocytes causes the fatal demyelinating disease, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), which occurs almost exclusively in immune compromised individuals, particularly with AIDS. An estimated 4-6% of all AIDS cases will develop PML, which in many cases has been the AIDS defining illness. Similarly, HIV-1 infection of the CNS also casues encephalopathy with mild or severe neurologic impairments, termed AIDS dementia complex (ADC). Clinical symptoms and pathology of ADC may resemble that seen in PML Selected Recent PublicationsMessam CA, Hou J, Gronostajski RM, Major EO.
Lineage pathway of human brain progenitor cells identified by JC virus susceptability - Annals of Neurology 2003 Major E.O.
Human Polyomaviruses - Fields Virology Fourth Edition 2141 2001 Monaco MC, Sabath BF, Durham LC, Major EO.
JC virus multiplication in human hematopoietic progenitor cells requires the NF-1 class D transcription - Journal of Virology 75(20) 9687-95 2001 Messam, C. A., J. Hou, and E. O. Major.
Coexpression of nestin in neural and glial cells in the developing human CNS defined by a human-specific anti-nestin antibody. - Exp Neurol 161 585-596 2000 Hamilton R.S., Gravell M, and Major E.O.
Comparison of antibody titers determined by hemagglutination inhibition and enzyme immunoassay for JC Virus and BK Virus - Journal of Clinical Microbiology 38(1) 105-109 2000 Jensen P.N. and Major E.O.
Viral variant nucleotide sequences help expose leukocytic positioning in the JC Virus pathway to the CNS - Journal of Leukocyte Biology 65 428-438 1999
Contact Information
Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, NINDS Building 10, Room 3B14 10 Center Drive, MSC 1296 Bethesda MD 20892-1296
Telephone: 301-594- 6270 (office), 301- 496-2043 (laboratory), 301-594- 5799 (fax), Email: MajorG@ninds.nih.gov
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Eugene O. Major Ph.D., Senior Investigator
Dr. Major received his A.B. degree from Holy Cross College and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois Medical Center. Following academic appointments as Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Medical School and the Loyola University Medical School in Chicago and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at Loyola, Dr. Major joined the Neurology Institute at the NIH in 1981. He has developed a basic research laboratory focusing on mechanisms of viral pathogenesis in the human nervous system, which includes JC Virus-induced demyelination, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, and HIV-1 associated encephalopathy. As Chief of the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, Dr. Major’s investigations focus on the biology of virus infections in nervous system cells derived from human brain and the molecular regulation which controls cellular and viral gene expression.
Laboratory Staff
Karen Augustine, Office Manager 301-594- 6270
Blanche Curfman, B.S. Biologist 301-496- 2043
Linda Durham, M.Sc Microbiologist 301-496- 5691
Jean Hou, B.S. Biologist 301-435- 6834
Peter Jensen, B.S. Biologist 301-496- 2899
Diane Lawrence, Ph.D. Special Volunteer 301-402- 3605
Chiara Monaco-Kushner, Ph.D. Staff Scientist 301-496- 1806
Andre Phillips, M.Sc Special Volunteer 301-402- 3605
Veerasamy Ravichandran, Ph.D. Contractor 301-594- 3248
Caroline Ryschkewitsch, B.S. Medical Technologist
Bruce Sabath, B.S. Special Volunteer 301-402- 3605
Lynnae Schwartz, M.D. Senior Research Fellow 301-594- 3226
Research Interests
Investigators study viral infections of the human CNS, concentrating on virus-cell interactions and the molecular regulation of viral susceptibility. Infection with the neurotropic viruses, JCV and HIV-1, can result in white matter diseases of the brain, although both viruses also infect immune cells. Lytic JCV infection of oligodendrocytes causes the fatal demyelinating disease, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), which occurs almost exclusively in immune compromised individuals, particularly with AIDS. An estimated 4-6% of all AIDS cases will develop PML, which in many cases has been the AIDS defining illness. Similarly, HIV-1 infection of the CNS also casues encephalopathy with mild or severe neurologic impairments, termed AIDS dementia complex (ADC). Clinical symptoms and pathology of ADC may resemble that seen in PML Selected Recent PublicationsMessam CA, Hou J, Gronostajski RM, Major EO.
Lineage pathway of human brain progenitor cells identified by JC virus susceptability - Annals of Neurology 2003 Major E.O.
Human Polyomaviruses - Fields Virology Fourth Edition 2141 2001 Monaco MC, Sabath BF, Durham LC, Major EO.
JC virus multiplication in human hematopoietic progenitor cells requires the NF-1 class D transcription - Journal of Virology 75(20) 9687-95 2001 Messam, C. A., J. Hou, and E. O. Major.
Coexpression of nestin in neural and glial cells in the developing human CNS defined by a human-specific anti-nestin antibody. - Exp Neurol 161 585-596 2000 Hamilton R.S., Gravell M, and Major E.O.
Comparison of antibody titers determined by hemagglutination inhibition and enzyme immunoassay for JC Virus and BK Virus - Journal of Clinical Microbiology 38(1) 105-109 2000 Jensen P.N. and Major E.O.
Viral variant nucleotide sequences help expose leukocytic positioning in the JC Virus pathway to the CNS - Journal of Leukocyte Biology 65 428-438 1999
Contact Information
Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, NINDS Building 10, Room 3B14 10 Center Drive, MSC 1296 Bethesda MD 20892-1296
Telephone: 301-594- 6270 (office), 301- 496-2043 (laboratory), 301-594- 5799 (fax), Email: MajorG@ninds.nih.gov