About Joel
Joel is an emeritus associate professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. The primary intent of his former research was the characterization of molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, particularly where these mechanisms involve viral control of transcription and splicing. His work focused on functional analyses of an oncoprotein encoded by walleye dermal sarcoma virus (WDSV), and has lead directly to analyses of protein-protein interactions with cellular transcriptional coactivators in preinitiation complexes. This viral protein is able to differentially regulate host transcription through mechanisms in common with a number of viral oncogenes. Although this research is largely grounded in the current dermal sarcoma model, full investigation of the molecular mechanisms extended beyond the scope of this virus to include the Tax proteins of bovine and human leukemia viruses, and DNA tumor virus proteins: SV40 Tumor antigens, adenovirus E1A/E1B, and papillomavirus E6/E7.
Education
PhD, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1999MS - Microbiology, Colorado State University, 1989BS - Microbiology, Colorado State University, 1982
Publications
Chotiwan N, Brewster CD, Magalhaes T, Weger-Lucarelli J, Duggal NK, Rückert C, Nguyen C, Garcia Luna SM, Fauver JR, Andre B, Gray M, Black WC 4th, Kading RC, Ebel GD, Kuan G, Balmaseda A, Jaenisch T, Marques ETA, Brault AC, Harris E, Foy BD, Quackenbush SL, Perera R, Rovnak J.Rapid and specific detection of Asian- and African-lineage Zika viruses.Sci Transl Med. 2017 May 3;9(388).Brewster, C.D., C.H. Birkenheuer, M.B. Vogt, S.L. Quackenbush, and J. Rovnak. The Retroviral Cyclin of Walleye Dermal Sarcoma Virus Binds Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 3 and 8. Virology 409:299-307, 2011. Paul, T.A., J. Rovnak, S.L. Quackenbush, K. Whitlock, H. Zhan, Z. Gong, J. Spitsbergen, P.R. Bowser, and J.W. Casey. Transgenic Expression of Walleye Dermal Sarcoma Virus rv-cyclin (orf A) in Zebrafish Does Not Result in Tissue Proliferation. Marine Biotechnology. Mar 28 [Epub ahead of print], 2010.Rovnak, J. and S.L. Quackenbush. Walleye Dermal Sarcoma Virus: Molecular Biology and Oncogenesis. Viruses 2(9): 1984-1999, 2010.