Leadership

Jing-Hsiung James Ou

Interim Chair and Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
Fletcher Jones Foundation Chair in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

James Ou’s research has been centered on the molecular and cellular biology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), their interactions with the host and the mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis. During the past three to four decades, he has made many important research findings in these areas.

For HBV, some of Dr. Ou’s past research accomplishments include the discovery of the HBV precore protein gene and its role in the vertical transmission of HBV, the discovery of the circular structure of the hepatitis delta virus RNA genome, the identification of cis- and trans-acting factors that regulate HBV gene expression, the discovery of the gene transactivation activity of the HBV X protein and the role of this protein in the enhancement of HBV gene expression and replication, and the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of HBV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

For HCV, Dr. Ou’s major research accomplishments include the discovery of the HCV F protein gene, the finding of the interaction between HCV core protein and E1 envelope protein, the discovery that HCV could induce oxidative stress and DNA damage, the discovery that HCV could induce the expression of TNF-α via TLR7/8 signaling pathway and antagonize the host innate immune response, the discovery that HCV induces autophagy for its replication, and the elucidation of the autophagic pathway and the biogenesis of autophagosomes induced by HCV.

For hepatocarcinogenesis, his team discovered the Janus effect of autophagy in hepatocarcinogenesis and the role of mitophagy in the production of hepatic cancer stem cells. These past research findings and accomplishments are well-recognized by the investigators in these research fields. During the past decade, Dr. Ou’s laboratory has been the major contributor to the understanding of the relationship between HCV and autophagy.