Oncolytic virotherapy. Oncolytic viruses are tailored made viruses which specifically kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed, and do so while eliciting anti-tumor immunity. the Ehrlich laboratory (in collaboration with Eran Bacharach) is developing a novel oncolytic virus, the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-Tel Aviv University (EHDV-TAU). Our current research focuses on: (i) characterization of the specificity and dynamics of EHDV-TAU infection in in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical models, (ii) identification of viral virulence factors and development of novel viral clones, (iii) characterization of the immune response elicited by EHDV-TAU, (iv) development of combination therapy strategies.
Cancer-induced modifications to innate immune signaling. Immune-editing in the course of tumor progression, extensive cross-talk among tumorigenic and innate immune signaling pathways (e.g. inflammatory signals), and the tumor-supressive character of autonomous-immune responses; all converge on cancer-induced modulation of the anti-viral response. This process, which has far-reaching consequences to immune- and viro-therapy, has yet to be characterized at molecular resolution. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms which drive such changes in cancer cells is predicted to critically advance the stratification of patients and the development of combination strategies, all in support of personalized oncolytic-immune virotherapy.
ICo-regulation of signaling and trafficking of TGF-β superfamily receptors. . Ligands of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily play central roles in health and disease. The signaling output of such receptors is modulated by their membrane localization and dynamics and intracellular trafficking. However, what governs these processes, how they are altered in malignancy and the degree by which they can be manipulated is unknown. Together with Yoav Henis, we employ a combination of biophysical, quantitative microscopy and cell biology methods to study this unique family of receptors and ligands.