Ian B. Hogue, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, presented "Virus Transport and Spread" to the Princeton Area Alumni Association (PA3) on May 2, 2014, at the Nassau Club in Princeton, New Jersey.

Dr. Hogue received a B.A. (2003) from the University of California, Berkeley. His Ph.D. (2010) in microbiology and immunology is from the University of Michigan. He has a number of publications to his credit already.

His presentation focused on the way in which herpes viruses move within cells and how they spread between infected cells.

Viruses have been an interest of Dr. Hogue since his undergraduate days. The virus is a substance that can be the carrier of infectious diseases. Despite their importance, many viruses have not been studied extensively. Many of them are little known or not known at all. Human beings may breathe them in easily. Viruses can be underlying factors in worsening disease, moreover.

Viruses are not all dangerous. Some of them are beneficial or helpful. One found in sheep is required for reproduction, for example. Viruses are not like bacteria. Indeed, viruses disappear when they enter cells. They disassemble, in a sense, although they persist.

Dr. Hogue referred to computer "viruses," which can be thought of as similar to biological entities. Computer viruses only refer to information, of course. A biological virus is a physical entity.

Knowledge of infectious agents began in the 17th century when devices, that is, microscopes, developed that could detect micro-organisms. It was theorized that such organisms could spread disease. This was the "germ theory" of disease. Filters could prevent the passage of bacteria, but then new classes of infectious agents were discovered that could penetrate filters, namely viruses.

Although viruses do not directly create tumors, they can transmit them simply by picking up broken cancer-causing copies of our genes. Most cancers are not generated by viruses, but viruses can contribute to the chances of getting cancer. The ultimate goal of viruses is to spread between cells – other effects, such as cancer, are a by-product.

Today, genomes are being used to identify viruses.

The alpha sub-family of herpes viruses can cause chicken pox and shingles, and another version causes cold sores.

The alpha herpes viruses in particular move into the nervous system quickly and fuse with cells in order to enter them and import their viral genes. Factors like stress, fever, and infection can cause changes in cell biology.

Just as is the case with viruses, not much is really known about cells. Thus, viruses are "great tools" for cell research.

Dr. Hogue finished his talk by showing the audience a movie of flourescent virus particles exiting from an infected cell.  A publication describing his work is currently in press and will appear in the scientific journal, PLOS Pathogens.

Happy New Year everyone!

We received a good number of votes for "Everything is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer '99, and so it will be the first book of hopefully many in 2015. Sev Onyshkevych '83 recommended the book, the description of which is included below, and so he has agreed to lead the meeting.

We will meet on Tuesday, February 3rd at 7pm in the Class of 1952 Room in Frist Campus Center.

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces, and hopefully some new, at the meeting!

Linsay

Everything is Illuminated: by Jonathan Safran Foer '99 (author of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close). Jonathan Safran Foer, a young American Jew, journeys to Ukraine in search of Augustine, the woman who saved his grandfather's life during the Nazi liquidation of Trachimbrod, his family shtetl. Armed with maps, cigarettes and many copies of an old photograph of Augustine and his grandfather, Jonathan begins his adventure with Ukrainian native and soon-to-be good friend, Alexander "Alex" Perchov, who is Foer's age and very fond of American pop culture, albeit culture that is already out of date in the United States. Alex studied English at his university, and even though his knowledge of the language is not "first-rate", he becomes the translator. Alex's "blind" grandfather and his "deranged seeing-eye bitch," Sammy Davis, Jr., Jr., accompany them on their journey. (from Wikipedia) (Recommended by Sev Onyshkevych)

The Silent Auction and Dinner raised over $3000 for the PA3 - PICS internships!

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE DINNER AND BID ON SILENT AUCTION ITEMS!

Also, PA3 thanks the following groups and individuals

who donated to 

the Silent Auction Fundraiser at the

2014 Annual Dinner on October 30, 2014.

JB Winberie's Restaurant and Bar, Palmer Square

The American Repertory Ballet

The Princeton University Store

Landau Woolens



JB Winberie's
The American Repertory Ballet
The Princeton University Store
Landau Woolens
Leon-Meyers Jewelers
Colonial Club

George and Halina Bustin

Matthew Howard
John and Kristin Epstein

Rick and Carol Ober

Sev Onyshcevych