Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Towson University
Towson, MD 21252 USA
Office: Smith 485B
Phone: 410-704-5019
Fax: 410-704-2405
email: bmargulies@towson.edu
Education:
Ph.D. The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
B.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Courses Taught:
BIOL 201 - Introduction to Biology I: Cellular Biology & Genetics
BIOL 315 - Medical Microbiology
BIOL 410 - Molecular Biology Lab
BIOL 428 - Virology
BIOL 622 - Gene Expression and Regulation
Research Interests:
The Towson University Herpes Virus Laboratory (TUHVL) is studying pathogenic mechanisms employed by three different human herpesviruses, the virus’ interactions with the host immune system, and means of antiviral intervention for each infectious agent.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the etiologic agent for fever blisters and cold sores. We are using a mouse model of infection to explore long-term delivery of the useful anti-herpetic acyclovir. We have already developed silicone-based controlled-release devices
that release acyclovir at a quantity and rate that completely stops infection in vitro, and prevent reoccurrences in vivo. We are currently collaborating with multiple labs in the US to improve efficacy and extend our studies to other viruses and model systems, including HSV-2,
the etiologic agent of genital herpes.
We are also examining an odd molecular phenomenon exhibited by the US27-encoded chemokine receptor-like glycoprotein expressed by human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a ubiquitous pathogen that tends to cause solid organ damage, including but not limited to CMV retinitis, a blindness caused by death of retinal cells in the eye. Although there does not appear to be anything special about the mRNA or protein sequences from this gene, it is clear that a single transcript codes for two related glycoproteins. Our favorite hypothesis, that alternative initiation codons are being employed, is currently under investigation.
It has been hypothesized, through many lines of circumstantial evidence, that human herpevirus-6 (HHV-6) is the indirect cause of multiple sclerosis (MS), perhaps by tricking the host immune system into attacking itself through a phenomenon called molecular mimicry. We are developing a mouse model for MS that employs expression of a single HHV-6 protein and whether it can be proved as a causative link
to MS. We believe such a system will give us an ideal small animal model to definitively prove or disprove the currently circulating theories
of a viral origin for MS, and provide a system to test many different antiviral drugs' ability to combat MS.
Publications:
Margulies, B.J., Browne, H., and W. Gibson. Identification of the Human Cytomegalovirus G Protein-Coupled Receptor Homologue
Encoded by UL33 in Infected Cells and Enveloped Virus Particles. Virology 225:111-125 (1996).
Rucker, J., Edinger, A.L., Sharron, M., Samson, M., Lee, B., Berson, J.F., Yi, Y., Margulies, B., Collman, R.G., Doranz, B.J., Parmentier,
M., and R.W. Doms. Utilization of Chemokine Receptors, Orphan Receptors, and Herpesvirus-Encoded Receptors by Diverse Human
and Simian Immunodeficiency Viruses. J. Virol. 71:8999-9007 (1997).
Edinger, A.L., Margulies, B.J.*, Mankowski, J.L.*, Doranz, B.J.*, Lee, B.*, Rucker, J., Sharron, M. Hoffman, T.L., Berson, J.F., Zink,
M.C., Hirsch, V.M., Clements, J.E., and R.W. Doms (*equal contributors). CD4-Independent, CCR5-Dependent Infection of Brain
Capillary Endothelial Cells by a Neurovirulent Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Strain. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:14742-14747 (1997).
Margulies, B.J., Hauer, D.A, and J.E. Clements. Identification and Comparison of Eleven Rhesus Macaque Chemokine Receptors.
AIDS Res. Hum. Retrovir. 17:981-986 (2001).
Bonavia, A., Bullock, B.T., Gisselman, K.M, Margulies, B.J., & Clements, J.E. A Single Amino Acid Change and Truncated TM are
Sufficient for Simian Immunodeficiency Virus to Enter Cells Using CCR5 in a CD4-Independent Pathway. Virology (2005).
Margulies, B.J., and C.A. Ghent. Alternative Assessment Strategy and Its Impact on Student Comprehension in an
Undergraduate Microbiology Course. Microbiology Education.
6:3-7 (2005).
Bonavia, A., Bullock, B.T., Gisselman, K.M., Margulies, B.J., and J.E.
Clements. A Single Amino Acid Change and Truncated
TM are Sufficient for SIV to Enter Cells Using CCR5 in a
CD4-Independent Pathway. Virology 341:12-23 (2005).
Margulies, B.J., and W. Gibson. The Chemokine Receptor Homologue Encoded
by US27 of Human Cytomegalovirus is Heavily
Glycosylated and Is Present in Infected Human Foreskin
Fibroblasts and Enveloped Virus Particles. Virus Res. 123:57-71 (2007).
Johnson, T.P., Frey, R., Modugno, M., Brennan, T.P., and B.J. Margulies (In press) "Development of an Aciclovir Implant for the
Effective Long-Term Control of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infection in Vero Cells and in Experimentally Infected SKH-1 Mice,"
Int J Antimicrob Agents.
Invention:
B.J. Margulies and J.E. Clements. Macaca mulatta CCR8 cDNA (JHU Ref. DM-3890), 1999
Patent Pending:
T.P. Johnson and B.J. Margulies. Long-Term Suppression of Herpesvirus Infection
(provisional patent #60805381), 2006; (pending #11/766,298), 2007
Graduate Students:
Mr. Joe Norris III, "HHV-6 as the etiologic agent of MS"
Mr. Stephen Longdo, Ms. Mina Alizadeh, and Ms. Crystal O'Donnell, "A novel method for acyclovir delivery"
Undergraduate Students:
Mr. Eric Legenzov, "HHV-6 as the etiologic agent of MS"
Mr. Jeremy King, "A novel method for acyclovir delivery"