David A. Davis, Ph.D.

Team Member of:
Dr. Davis’ current projects involve the development of novel therapies for the treatment of AIDS Malignancies. He currently studies oncoviruses and the treatment of their related diseases with immunomodulatory drugs . Previous work involved studies on regulation of HIV-1 protease and protease inhibitors.
As a staff scientist in the Yarchoan lab, Dr. Davis mentors postdoctoral fellows as well as junior scientists in the area of viral oncology. The laboratory has a translational research focus that allows for cross-talk between the clinic and lab aiding in the development of new antiviral and anticancer therapies.
1) virus oncology, 2) protein chemistry, 3) oxidative stress, 4) proteases, 5) hypoxia
Contact Info
Center for Cancer Research
National Cancer Institute
Building 10, Room 5A25
Bethesda, MD 20892-1868
Ph: 240-858-3255
davisdav@mail.nih.gov
I have been a Staff Scientist in the National Cancer Institute, NIH in the HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch (HAMB) since 1996. I currently oversee the laboratory projects carried out by PostBacs and the Post Docs in the lab as well as carry out my own research. Our lab has been extensively studying the role of hypoxia and hypoxia response elements in human herpesvirus 8 (also known as KSHV) activation as it relates to malignancies associated with AIDS. We are currently studying the use of thalidomide and analogues that can affect the immune receptors present on infected cells. I previously investigated the role of the HIV-1 protease in the HIV-1 viral life cycle and worked on protease inhibitor/drug development. I specialize in protein biochemistry, enzymology, oxidative stress and RP-HPLC/mass spectrometry. Current projects involve understanding the mechanism by which oncogenic viruses modulate the immune molecules of infected cells and the discovery and development of drugs to thwart these effects.
Selected Publications
- FASEB J.. 28: 106-16, 2014. [ Journal Article ]
- J Virol. 77: 3319-25, 2003. [ Journal Article ]
- J. Biol. Chem.. 272: 25935-40, 1997. [ Journal Article ]
- Blood. 97: 3244-50, 2001. [ Journal Article ]
- Cancer Res.. 67: 7003-10, 2007. [ Journal Article ]
Masters of Science, Biochemistry-University of Vermont 1987 PhD, Biochemistry-Purdue University 1992 PostDoc 1992-1995, NHLBI, NIH Staff Scientist-1996-present