Dr. Hongyan Guo's lab focuses on understanding how the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) manipulates host cell death processes to spread during infection. They study a specific protein called ZBP1, which is involved in the programmed cell death pathway that helps control viral infections. By uncovering the mechanisms behind ZBP1's actions and its interaction with viral components, the lab aims to reveal new insights that could lead to better therapies against HSV-1 and similar viruses.