Kurt Gustin, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences - The University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix in partnership with Arizona State University

UA Office Phone: (602) 827-2155
Office: Building ABC1, Room 328
Email: kgustin@arizona.edu

Education:

Post Doctoral: Virology, Cell Biology; Stanford University; 1998-2004

PhD; University of Michigan; 1998

BA; University of Colorado; 1986

Research Interests:

Picornaviruses are prevalent human and animal pathogens that cause disease rangig from the common cold, to jaundice, myocarditis and paralysis. Included in this family are poliovirus, rhinovirus, hepatitis A virus, coxsackievirus, echovirus and others. Picornaviruses are small, non-enveloped viruses containing a single stranded RNA genome of positive polarity. Infection is initiated by binding to a cell surface receptor, followed by release of viral RNA into the cell cytoplasm where all replication events take place.

The overall objective of my research plan is to understand, at a molecular level, the host-pathogen interactions that occur during picornavirus infection using rhinovirus and poliovirus as model systems. As described below, my research focuses on two aspects of these interactions: 1. Understanding how and why these viruses disrupt nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking and 2. Delineating the mechanisms by which they evade the host innate immune response. In addition to providing a better understanding of picornavirus pathogenesis, my research plan is designed to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying such basic cellular processes as signal transduction, regulation of gene expression, nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking and innate immunity. To achieve these goals I utilize a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, genomics and proteomics.

If you think you would be interested in working in the lab on one of these diverse projects please feel free to drop by my office or contact me by phone or email.

PubMed Link:

Search PubMed for a complete listing of Dr. Gustin's publications

Selected Publications:

  1. Kotla, S., Major, S.C. and Kurt E. Gustin. 2008. Rapid Detection and Quantitation of Poliovirus and Rhinovirus Sequences in Viral Stocks and Infected Cells. Journal of Virological Methods. In Press.
  2. Ricour, C., Delhaye, S., Stanleyson, H.V., Olenyik, T.D., Michel, B., van Kuppeveld, F.J.M., Gustin, K.E. and Thomas Micheils. Inhibition of mRNA export and IRF-3 dimerization by Theiler's virus 1 leader protein. Journal of General Virology. In Press.
  3. Park, N., Katikaneni, P., Skern, T. and K. E. Gustin. 2008. Differential Targeting of Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins in Poliovirus-infected Cells. J. Virology. 82:1647-1655.
  4. Kotla, S., Peng, T., Bumgarner, R.E. and Kurt E. Gustin. 2008. Attenuation of the type I interferon response in cells infected with human rhinovirus. Virology. 374:399-410.
  5. Adili, A., Crowe, S., Beaux, M.F., McIlroy, Cantrell, T., Shapiro, P.J., McIlroy, D.N. and Kurt E. Gustin. 2008. Differential cytotoxicity exhibited by silica nanowires and nanoparticles. Nanotoxicology. 2:1-8.
  6. Beaux, M.F., McIlroy, D.N. and Kurt E. Gustin. 2008. Utilization of Solid Nanomaterial for Drug Delivery. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 5: 725-735.
  7. Ferens, W.A., Halver, M., Gustin, K.E., Ott , T., and Carolyn J. Hovde. 2007. Differential sensitivity of viruses to the antiviral activity of Shiga toxin 1 A subunit. Virus Research 125:104-108.
  8. Gustin, K.E. and Peter Sarnow. 2006. Positive-strand RNA Viruses and the Nucleus in Viruses and the Nucleus, Edited by Julian Hiscox. Publisher: John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. 161-184.
  9. Gustin, K.E. 2003. Inhibition of Nucleo-cytoplasmic Trafficking by RNA Viruses: Targeting the Nuclear Pore Complex. Virus Research 95:35-44.
  10. Gustin, K.E. and Peter Sarnow. 2002 Inhibition of Nuclear Import and Alteration of Nuclear Pore Complex Composition by Rhinovirus. J. Virology 72:8787-8796.