June 30, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.-The Human Herpesvirus 6 Foundation awarded Augusta State University’s assistant professor of chemistry, Dr. Chad Stephens, a grant of $18,975 for his work on the development of new HHV-6 inhibitors. For 10 years, Dr. Stephens has teamed up with the two doctors from the Rega Institute in Belgium in search of new inhibitors for various diseases. But this is the first time the three doctors have received a grant from the foundation. Dr. Stephens says he along with the help of some of his students make the inhibitor compounds here at the university and then it’s shipped over to Belgium for actual testing.

HHV-6 is a virus that was discovered in 1986 in AIDS patients with cancer and lymphoproliferative disorders. According to emedicine.com, primary HHV-6 infections happen in infants and can cause seizures in children between the ages of 6 to 24 months old. And after the primary infection, the virus will lie dormant until the immune system is compromised.

For additional information on this topic or to arrange an interview with Dr. Stephens, contact Danielle Harris, media relations specialist, in ASU’s Office of Public Relations and Publications at 706-667-4821.