Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience - Division of Intramural Research

 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 Publications

Messam CA, Hou J, Gronostajski RM, Major EO.
Lineage pathway of human brain progenitor cells identified by JC virus susceptability - Annals of Neurology    2003

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

Major E.O.
Human Polyomaviruses - Fields Virology  Fourth Edition 2141 2001

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

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

Yiannoutsas, C., E. O. Major, B. L. Curfman, P. Jensen, M. Gravell, J. Hou, D. Clifford, C. Hall, and the ACTG 243 Team.
Relation of JC Virus DNA in the CSF to survival in AIDS patients with biopsy proven Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy. - Ann Neurol  45 816-821 1999

Selected Earlier Publications

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