Building on the long tradition of adenovirus molecular virology at Saint Louis University, Dr. Wold’s laboratory has participated in the discovery of a new class of viral proteins that orchestrate the life and death of adenovirus infected human cells. At early stages of infection, several adenovirus proteins counteract host immuno-surveillance by preventing immune killer cells from destroying infected cells. For example, these proteins inhibit programmed cell death induced by members of the tumor necrosis factor family. At the culmination of infection, a unique protein, termed Adenovirus Death Protein (ADP), promotes cell death thereby allowing virus to be released from cells. Dr. Wold is investigating how these adenovirus proteins function; they represent powerful tools to unravel the complexities of virus infections. Dr. Wold is also developing ADP-based replication-competent adenovirus vectors for cancer gene therapy.