Spyridon Stavrou PhD
Spyridon Stavrou
PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Infectious Disease; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Transgenic organisms; Viral Pathogenesis; Virology
Professional Summary:
Retroviruses comprise a large and diverse family of RNA viruses that can infect a variety of hosts and can lead to immune system dysfunction and cancer. The most well known member of this family is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which is responsible for millions of deaths every year. Immune cells, such as CD4+ T cells, are the targets of HIV infection resulting in their subsequent destruction and the overall impairment of the immune system. As a result of the deterioration of the immune system, the host is unable to fight effectively infections and some other diseases. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of the weakened host, which can prove to be lethal. Other members of the retrovirus family, Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV) and Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) are common pathogens of mice that are used in research to study the interplay between the host and retroviruses and have served as models for HIV and other human retroviruses.
In the context of the constant struggle between host cells and pathogens, cells have developed early innate immune and cell-intrinsic strategies to counteract retroviruses. Therefore, retroviruses have developed a variety of sophisticated mechanisms to counteract cellular responses and allow for productive infections to occur. Due to the complexity of the antiviral immune response, a full understanding of host-pathogen interactions requires the integration of in vitro and in vivo data, where the role of cellular restriction factors and the innate immune response are examined in a living organism. Infections in mouse models have provided important and at times surprising insights into the relationship between hosts and pathogens. Thus one of the areas of focus for our lab will be the integration of in vivo and in vitro models to study the interaction of novel cellular host factors and retroviruses.
HIV and other lentiviruses devote a relatively large portion of their genome to accessory proteins that counteract those cellular host factors. Understanding the function of these accessory proteins has provided insight into the intrinsic defenses utilized by the cell to block viral infections, as well as generated potential targets for antiviral interventions. However, there is no currently tractable in vivo model for studying cell host restriction factor/accessory protein interactions. Hence, the second major focus of our lab will be the development of in vivo models to examine the interplay between HIV accessory proteins and host cell intrinsic immunity.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Microbiology, University of Chicago (2009)
- MS, Molecular Biology, University of Pennsylvania (2003)
- BA, Biology and Classical Studies, University of Pennsylvania (2001)
Employment:
- Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2024-present)
- Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018–2024)
- Research Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine (2016–2018)
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine (2011–2016)
- Graduate Student, Microbiology, University of Chicago (2003–2010)
Research Expertise:
- Cell intrinsic immunity
- Host cellular factors
- Host-pathogens interactions
- In vivo models of infection
- Innate immunity
- Retroviruses
- Transgenic mice
- Viral pathogenesis
Research Centers:
- Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
- Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- December 2021–November 2026
MARCH proteins, members of a host protein family that targets HIV
NIH/NIAID
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,974,920 - April 2024–December 2024
The interplay between patient-derived HIV-1 and cell intrinsic immunity
Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo
Role: Principal Investigator
$3,000 - August 2023–June 2024
Grand Resubmission Award, R21 90K and SARS-CoV-2
UB VPRED
Role: Principal Investigator
$15,000 - May 2022–April 2024
Elucidating the role of SERINC5 in SARS-CoV-2 infection
NIAID
Role: Principal Investigator
$438,625 - May 2022–April 2024
Creation and validation of cell-based screening systems for SARS-CoV-2 drug targets
NIAID
Role: Co-Investigator
$438,625 - January 2022–December 2023
Elucidating the antiviral role of LGALS3BP against SARS-CoV-2
American Heart Association
Role: Contributor
$64,072 - July 2022–June 2023
Grant Resubmission Award, Hpse R21
OVPRED
Role: Principal Investigator
$12,000 - January 2020–December 2021
The role of SERINC5 during retrovirus infection in vivo
NIH/NIAID
Role: Principal Investigator
$435,650 - August 2021–November 2021
MARCH proteins, members of a host protein family that targets HIV
NIAID
Role: Principal Investigator
$391,890 - April 2018–March 2019
A3G induced virus evolution
amfAR Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$50,000 - October 2014–September 2016
A3G induced virus evolution
amfAR Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$130,000 - February 2013–January 2014
The in vivo function of APOBEC3 during retrovirus infection
National Institute of AIlergy and Infectious Diseases
Role: Principal Investigator
$53,942 - July 2024
Understanding the antiviral mechanism of MARCH9
NIH/NIAID
Role: Consultant
$108,682
Journal Articles:
- Waxman B, Salka K, Timilsina U, Umthong S, Shukla D, Stavrou S. (2025) Heparanase, a host gene that potently restricts retrovirus transcription. mBio (Feb)e0325224.
- Umthong S, Timilsina U, D'Angelo MR, Salka K, Stavrou S. (2024) MARCH2, a T cell specific factor that restricts HIV-1 infection. PLoS pathogens (Jul), 20(7): e1012330. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1012330
- Timilsina U, Ivey EB, Duffy S, Plianchaisuk A, The Genotype To Phenotype Japan G P-Japan Consortium , Ito J, Sato K, Stavrou S. (2024) SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a Mutation Found in BF.5 and BF.7 Sublineages Impacts Its Functions. International journal of molecular sciences (Feb), 25(4).
- Timilsina U, Stavrou S. (2023) SERINC5: One antiviral factor to bind them all. PLoS pathogens (Jan), 19(1): e1011076.
- Timilsina U, Umthong S, Ivey EB, Waxman B, Stavrou S. (2022) SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a potently inhibits the antiviral effect of the host factor SERINC5. Nature communications (May), 13(1): 2935. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-30609-9
- Dey-Rao R, Smith GR, Timilsina U, Falls Z, Samudrala R, Stavrou S, Melendy T. (2021) A fluorescence-based, gain-of-signal, live cell system to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibition. Antiviral Research (Dec), 195 doi:10.1016/j.antiviral.2021.105183
- Umthong S, Lynch B, Timilsina U, Waxman B, Ivey EB, Stavrou S. (2021) Elucidating the Antiviral Mechanism of Different MARCH Factors. mBio (Mar), 12(2).
- Law EK, Levin-Klein R, Jarvis MC, Kim H, Argyris PP, Carpenter MA, Starrett GJ, Temiz NA, Larson LK, Durfee C, Burns MB, Vogel RI, Stavrou S, Aguilera AN, Wagner S, Largaespada DA, Starr TK, Ross SR, Harris RS. (2020) APOBEC3A catalyzes mutation and drives carcinogenesis in vivo. J Exp Med (Dec), 217(12)
- Timilsina U, Umthong S, Lynch B, Stablewski A, Stavrou S. (2020) SERINC5 Potently Restricts Retrovirus Infection In Vivo. mBio (Jul), 11(4)
- Sarute N, Ibrahim N, Medegan Fagla B, Lavanya M, Cuevas C, Stavrou S, Otkiran-Clare G, Tyynismaa H, Henao-Mejia J, Ross SR. (2019) TRIM2, a novel member of the antiviral family, limits New World arenavirus entry. PLoS Biol (Feb), 17(2): 3000137-3000137.
- Stavrou S, Aguilera AN, Blouch K, Ross SR. (2018) DDX41 Recognizes RNA/DNA Retroviral Reverse Transcripts and Is Critical for In Vivo Control of Murine Leukemia Virus Infection. MBio (Jan), 9(3)
- Stavrou S, Zhao W, Blouch K, Ross SR. (2018) Deaminase-Dead Mouse APOBEC3 Is an In Vivo Retroviral Restriction Factor. J Virol (Jan), 92(11).
- Nakaya Y, Lilue J, Stavrou S, Moran EA, Ross SR. (2017) AIM2-Like Receptors Positively and Negatively Regulate the Interferon Response Induced by Cytosolic DNA. MBio (Jul), 8(4)
- Cadena C, Stavrou S, Manzoni T, Iyer SS, Bibollet-Ruche F, Zhang W, Hahn BH, Browne EP, Ross SR. (2016) The effect of HIV-1 Vif polymorphisms on A3G anti-viral activity in an in vivo mouse model. Retrovirology (Jan), 13(1): 45-45.
- Nakaya Y, Stavrou S, Blouch K, Tattersall P, Ross SR. (2016) In Vivo Examination of Mouse APOBEC3- and Human APOBEC3A- and APOBEC3G-Mediated Restriction of Parvovirus and Herpesvirus Infection in Mouse Models. J Virol (Jan), 90(17): 8005-8012.
- Stavrou S, Ross SR. (2015) APOBEC3 Proteins in Viral Immunity. J Immunol (Nov), 195(10): 4565-4570.
- Stavrou S, Blouch K, Kotla S, Bass A, Ross SR. (2015) Nucleic acid recognition orchestrates the anti-viral response to retroviruses. Cell Host Microbe (Apr), 17(4): 478-488.
- Stavrou S, Crawford D, Blouch K, Browne EP, Kohli RM, Ross SR. (2014) Different modes of retrovirus restriction by human APOBEC3A and APOBEC3G in vivo. PLoS Pathog (May), 10(5): 1004145-1004145.
- Stavrou S, Nitta T, Kotla S, Ha D, Nagashima K, Rein AR, Fan H, Ross SR. (2013) Murine leukemia virus glycosylated Gag blocks apolipoprotein B editing complex 3 and cytosolic sensor access to the reverse transcription complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (May), 110(22): 9078-9083.
- Stavrou S, Ghadge G, Roos RP. (2011) Apoptotic and antiapoptotic activity of L protein of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus. J Virol (Jul), 85(14): 7177-7185.
- Stavrou S, Feng Z, Lemon SM, Roos RP. (2010) Different strains of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus antagonize different sites in the type I interferon pathway. J Virol (Sep), 84(18): 9181-9189.
- Stavrou S, Baida G, Viktorova E, Ghadge G, Agol VI, Roos RP. (2010) Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus L* amino acid position 93 is important for virus persistence and virus-induced demyelination. J Virol (Feb), 84(3): 1348-1354.
- Baida G, Popko B, Wollmann RL, Stavrou S, Lin W, Tretiakova M, Krausz TN, Roos RP. (2008) A subgenomic segment of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus RNA causes demyelination. J Virol (Jun), 82(12): 5879-5886.
- Umthong S., Timilsina U., D’Angelo M., Stavrou S. (1900) MARCH2, a T cell specific factor that restricts HIV-1 infection. Plos Pathogens (Jan)
Abstracts:
- Umthong S., Timilsina U., Stavrou S. (2023) MARCH2, a T cell specific factor that inhibits HIV-1 infection. 33rd International Workshop on Retroviral Pathogenesis. Trento, Italy (Dec) Oral
- Waxman B., Timilsina U., Umthong S., Stavrou S. (2023) Heparanase blocks retrovirus infection by targeting proviral transcription. American Society of Virology. (Jun) Oral
- Umthong S., Timilsina U., D’Angelo M., Stavrou S. (2023) Characterization of MARCH2 protein and its anti-HIV-1 function. HIV vaccines, Immunoprophylaxis, and Drugs. (Jun) Poster
- Waxman B., Timilsina U., Umthong S., Stavrou S. (2023) Heparanase blocks retrovirus infection by targeting provirus transcription. Cold Spring Harbor, Retroviruses. (May) Poster
- Timilsina U., Umthong S., D’Angelo M., Stavrou S. (2023) MARCH2 restricts HIV-1 infection as a T cell specific factor. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Retroviruses. (May) Oral
- Waxman B, Timilsina U, Umthong S, Stavrou S,. (2022) Heparanase (HPSE), an ISG, blocks retrovirus infection at a post-integration step. American Society of Virology. (Jul) Poster; Oral
- Timilsina U, Umthong S, Stavrou S,. (2022) MARCH2, a T cell specific factor that restricts HIV-1 infection. American Society of Virology. (Jul) Oral
- Ivey EB, Timilsina U, Stavrou S. (2022) LGALS3BP/90K restricts SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting the Spike glycoprotein. American Society of Virology. (Jul) Oral
- Stavrou S, Timilsina U, Umthong S,. (2022) SERINC5, a novel target of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a. Positive-strand RNA Virus Meeting. Keystone, Colorado (Jun) Poster
- Timilsina U., Umthong S., Stavrou S.,. (2021) SERINC5 potently restricts SARS-CoV-2 entry and is counteracted by Orf7a. American Society of Virology. (Jul) Oral
- Umthong S., Lynch B., Timilsina U., Waxman B., Ivey EB., Stavrou S. (2021) Elucidating the role of MARCH family proteins on viral envelope glycoproteins. Retroviruses. Cold Spring Harbor, New YorkUnited States (Jun) Oral
- Umthong S., Timilsina U., Waxman B., Lynch B., Stavrou S. (2020) Elucidating the roles of the murine MARCH protein family on retrovirus infection. ASV. Fort Collins/Virtual, ColoradoUnited States (Jun) Oral
- Timilsina U., Umthong S., Lynch B., Stavrou S. (2020) SERINC5-mediated restriction of MLV infection in vivo is dependent on glyco-Gag and the viral envelope. Retroviruses. Cold Spring Harbor, New YorkUnited States (May) Oral
- Timilsina U., Umthong S., Stablewski A., Stavrou S. (2020) SERINC5 potently restricts retrovirus infection in vivo. ASV. Fort Collins/Virtual, ColoradoUnited States (Jan) Oral
- Stavrou S., Blouch K., Agarwal N., Bass A., Ross S.R.,. (2017) Sensing of reverse transcripts is critical for the in vivo control of retrovirus infection. American Society of Virology. Madison, WisconsinUnited States (Jun) Oral
- Stavrou S., Blouch K., Ross S.R. (2017) The nucleic acid sensor DDX41 recognizes retroviral RNA/DNA hybrids and is critical for controlling in vivo infection. Retroviruses. Cold Spring Harbor, New YorkUnited States (May) Oral
- Stavrou S., Blouch K., Ross S.R. (2016) Sensing of reverse transcripts is critical for the in vivo control of retrovirus infection. The 28th International Workshop on Retrovirus Pathogenesis. New Orleans, LouisianaUnited States (Dec) Oral
- Cadena C., Stavrou S., Iyer S., Bibollet-Ruche F., Hahn B., Browne E.P., Ross S.R. (2015) Modeling HIV VIF/APOBEC3G interactions in mice. Retroviruses. Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaUnited States (May) Poster
- Stavrou S., Blouch K., Ross S.R. (2015) The cytidine deamination domains (CDAs) of mouse APOBEC3 are dispensable for retrovirus restriction. Retroviruses. Cold Spring Harbor, New YorkUnited States (May) Poster
- Stavrou S., Blouch K., Bass A., Ross S.R. (2015) DDX41, IFI203 and CGAS synergistically detect reverse transcripts and activate the type I IFN response. Retroviruses. Cold Spring Harbor, New YorkUnited States (May) Oral
Professional Memberships:
- American Society of Virology (2018–present)
- AAAS (2018–present)
- American Society of Microbiology (2016–present)
Presentations:
- "Defenders vs. Invaders: The Role of Restriction Factors in Retrovirus Defense" East Carolina University, Dept of Microbiology and Immunology (2024)
- "MARCH2, a host factor that inhibits HIV-1 infection in a T cell dependent manne" SUNY, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Structural Biology Department (2024)
- "MARCH2, a host factor that inhibits HIV-1 infection in a T cell dependent manner" Western University, Department of Microbiology and Immunology (2024)
- "SERINC5, a host factor with broad antiviral functions" University of Puerto Rico, Dept of Chemistry (2024)
- "MARCH2, a host factor that inhibits HIV-1 infection in a T cell dependent manner" SUNY, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Division (2023)
- "Restriction factors and viral envelopes: From retroviruses to coronaviruses" Stony Brook University, Dept of Microbiology and Immunology (2023)
- "MARCH proteins potently restrict retrovirus infection" Institut Pasteur de Montevideo (2023)
- "SERINC5, a host factor with a broad repertoire of viral targets" University of Chicago, Dept of Microbiology (2023)
- "SERINC5, a host factor with broad antiviral function" Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases (OCRID) (2023)
- "Heparanase, a novel regulator of proviral transcription" SUNY, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Division (2022)
- "SERINC5, an important antiviral gene, blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection and is counteracted by SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a" Chulalongkorn University, Pharmaceutical Sciences Division (2022)
- "SERINC5, a novel target of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a" UIC Department of Microbiology (2022)
- "SERINC5, a potent factor of the host antiviral defense" Midwestern University, Department of Anatomy (2021)
- "Elucidating the role of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a" SUNY, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Division (2021)
- "Elucidating the antiviral role of MARCH proteins" SUNY, University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, Oral Biology Department (2021)
- "Elucidating the antiviral role of MARCH proteins" IDI Viruses & Emerging Pathogens seminar series, Ohio State University (2021)
- "MARCH proteins potently restrict viral infections" SUNY, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Infectious Diseases Division (2020)
- "MARCH proteins potently restrict retrovirus infection" Annual Upstate New York Immunology Conference (2019)
- "The role of host cell restriction factors on retrovirus infection" Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology (2019)
- "APOBEC3 and cytosolic DNA sensors synergistically counteract retrovirus infection" University of Indiana, Dept of Microbiology and Immunology (2017)
- "APOBEC3 and cytosolic DNA sensors synergistically counteract retrovirus infection" University of Illinois at Chicago, Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, (2016)
- "APOBEC3 and cytosolic DNA sensors synergistically counteract retrovirus infection" University of Pennsylvania, Dept of Microbiology (2016)
- "APOBEC3 and cytosolic DNA sensors synergistically counteract retrovirus infection" University of Texas A&M, Dept of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (2016)
Service Activities:
- Plos Pathogens; Guest Editor (2024)
- PPBS First year curriculum update; Committee member (2024)
- NIH Fellowship panel; Panelist (2024)
- CSTEP Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2024)
- MCV study section; Ad hoc reviewer (2024)
- NIH ZRG1 70C-S (20) L, Virology/Mycology Fellowship study section; Ad hoc reviewer (2024)
- Medical School Research Forum; Poster Judge (2024)
- International Journal of Molecular Science (IJMS); Guest Editor (2024)
- mBIO; Guest Editor (2024)
- PPBS Admission; Secondary Microbiology and Immunology reviewer (2023–2024)
- 33rd International Workshop on Retrovirus Pathogenesis, Chair of the Innate Immunity session; Session Chair (2023)
- Integrated Canada’s Biomedical Research Fund and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (CBRF-BRIF Stage 2); Ad hoc reviewer (2023)
- Faculty Search Committee (2023–present)
- UB/SUNY-UWI Global Infectious Diseases (GID) Research Training Program.; Mentor (2023–present)
- NIH ZRG1 70C-S (20), Virology/Mycology Fellowship study section; Ad hoc reviewer (2023)
- STEM Career Talk at the 2023 Summer Research Program for High School Students, St Bonaventure University; Invited speaker (2023)
- CSTEP Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2023)
- American Society of Virology 2023 meeting, “Retroviruses I” Workshop Chair; Session Chair (2023)
- Cold Spring Harbor, Retroviruses meeting, session Chair of the RNA, transport and Assembly session; Session Chair (2023)
- Medical School Research Forum; Poster Judge (2023)
- Faculty Search Committee (2022–2023)
- 12th Annual UB Postdoc Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2022)
- ASV Program Committee; Committee member (2022–present)
- PPBS Steering Committee; Microbiology and Immunology representative (2022–present)
- CSTEP Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2022)
- American Society of Virology 2022 meeting, “Retroviruses” Workshop Chair; Session Chair (2022)
- VIRA study section; Ad hoc reviewer (2022)
- Nature Communications; Ad hoc reviewer (2022–present)
- Medical School Research Forum; Poster Judge (2022)
- Frontiers in Immunology; Ad hoc reviewer (2022–present)
- PPBS Admission; Primary Microbiology and Immunology reviewer (2021–2023)
- NIH VIRA study section; ad hoc (2021)
- Member of the UB Faculty senate; member (2021–2023)
- American Society of Virology 2021 meeting, “Receptors, Attachment and Entry” Workshop co-Chair; Co-chair (2021)
- CSTEP Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2021)
- Medical School Research forum; Poster Judge (2021)
- Faculty Council; Microbiology and Immunology Representative (2020–present)
- Medical School Research Forum; Poster Judge (2020)
- Microorganisms; Ad hoc reviewer (2020–present)
- Cell Reports; Ad hoc reviewer (2020–present)
- Current Research in Virological Science; Ad hoc reviewer (2020–present)
- Small GTPases; Ad hoc reviewer (2020–present)
- PPBS admissions; Secondary Microbiology and Immunology reviewer (2019–2021)
- New Frontiers Distinguished Seminar; Co-Organizer (2019–present)
- CSTEP Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2019)
- AmfAR Mathilde Krim Fellowship reviewer; Ad hoc reviewer (2019)
- PPBS Admissions; Interviewer (2019)
- mBio; Ad hoc reviewer (2019–present)
- Plos Pathogens; Ad hoc reviewer (2019–present)
- Netter Award Selection Committee member, Western NY ASM Chapter; Award selection Committee (2018–2019)
- Witebsky Center Annual Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis; Conference co-organizer and host of Virology speaker (2018–present)
- Gorzynski Award Selection; Committee Member (2018–2019)
- Annual UB Postdoc Research Symposium; Poster Judge (2018–2019)
- Plos One; Academic Editor (2018–present)
- Journal of Cellular Biochemistry; Ad hoc reviewer (2018–present)
- Cells; Ad hoc reviewer (2017–present)
- Viruses; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2017–present)
- Journal of Virology; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2016–present)