1. Reflection on the first seminar: KSHV
Ms. Olga González seminar topic was KSHV (Kaposi sarcoma-associated
herpesvirus). This herpes virus has two stages: the lytic cycle (the infection phase) and
the lysogenic cycle (phase when the virus establishes latency). The virus infects people
through saliva, blood or sexual contact. The virus only appears in people who have low
immune system response. The way it works is that a person gets infected and if he/she
has a low immune system response, the virus goes through reactivation process, which is
switching from the lysogenic cycle to the lytic cycle. Afterwards, the virus reproduces
and creates a cancerous tumor. Her research will be important for other investigators who
wish to work with the KSHV virus because she is trying to find and stop the molecular
trigger of reactivation. Upon succeeding, other scientist will be able to attack the virus at
its source and not kill healthy tissue cells. Her research will be able to create awareness to
those who are susceptible to getting infected with the virus and developing it.