Shelley Cockrell Email: skc11@pitt.edu Lab: Homa Lab The Herpes Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) virion consists of a double-stranded DNA genome core encased in an icosahedral capsid, tegument layer, and lipid envelope containing viral glycoproteins. At the early stages of virion assembly, HSV-1 DNA is processed from a concatemeric replicative product to unit-length genomes that are inserted into pre-formed capsids. Seven genes have been identified that are required for packaging of genomic DNA; of these, the UL25 gene product has been implicated specifically in the retention of DNA in the capsid following cleavage and packaging of unit-length genomes. The focus of my work is to determine the essential function of UL25 protein in DNA packaging and capsid maturation.