Research Interests

Professor Parish’s research programme aims to understand the mechanistic underpinnings of virus gene expression control, replication and persistence using physiological models of human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections.

Current projects:

• Virus-host interactions important for the control of HPV gene expression and HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Using primary keratinocyte-based models of HPV infections, we are characterizing novel host factors that are important for virus oncogene expression and differentiation-dependent regulation of HPV gene expression. Our collaborative work with Dr Sally Roberts has highlighted an important interaction between HPV and the host cell transcriptional regulator CTCF in the control of virus oncogene expression and we are currently analysing this interplay in HPV-induced disease progression. Work is supported by Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council.
• Viral manipulation of host cell gene expression. Using state-of-the-art technologies such as RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq and FAIRE-Seq we are discovering how HPV manipulates transcriptional control of host cell genes to support virus life cycle. These studies are increasing our understanding of how HPV infection contributes to cancer development and will inform the design of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Work is supported by Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council.
• Virus-host interactions important for the control of HBV gene expression. We are studying host cell-mediated regulation of HBV gene expression using physiologically-relevant models of HBV infection and state-of-the-art technologies. Work is supported by the Medical Research Council.

Scientific Inspiration

Professor Sir Paul Nurse – a visionary fundamental biologist who developed game-changing hypotheses regarding cell cycle regulation using simple model organisms. In latter years, he has used his status to positively influence the UK science agenda and research culture.