Curt M. Horvath, Council Member

Curt M. Horvath is a Professor of Molecular Biosciences at Northwestern University with appointments in Microbiology/Immunology and Medicine, serves as a basic science leader for Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is the Director of the NU High Throughput Analysis Laboratory. With over 25 years devoted to cytokine signal transduction, virology, innate immunity, and gene regulation, his research interests include cytokine-JAK-STAT and RLR-interferon signal transduction and mechanisms of cytokine-inducible gene regulation in the human immune response and in cancer biology. Horvath obtained his PhD from Northwestern University in 1992. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the Research Scholar Award from the American Cancer Society in recognition of scientific excellence in the investigation of cancer biology.

His lab focuses on the molecular and cellular events controlling inducible gene regulation, and has accumulated knowledge of antiviral host responses including RLR-MAVS and IFN-JAK-STAT signal transduction. The work has brought new insights into mechanisms of antiviral immunity, with focus on the production of and response to cytokines and especially interferons. Horvath is known for his studies of RNA sensing and virus-host interactions with Orthomyxoviruses and Paramyxoviruses including those mediated by influenza A and B viruses as well as diverse parainfluenza viruses (e.g., measles, mumps, Nipah). Among the first to recognize viral immune evasion strategies and characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the degradation of STAT proteins and antagonism of RLR-MAVS-IFN pathways, his lab has used genomic techniques to study virus and IFN-stimulated gene regulation, reveal fundamental features of RNA polymerase regulation in innate immunity, and identify virus-induced small RNAs. Current research projects include investigations of virus-host interactions, RNA polymerase activation by IFNs and viruses, regulation of interferon production and antiviral responses, and the roles for cytokine signals in cancer immunotherapy. 

Horvath has served on the ICIS Council, the Meetings Committee (2014 until present), and is a regular contributor to ICIS meetings and events. He is known for mentoring interactions with diverse groups of junior faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, and is a regular and enthusiastic participant in spontaneous jam sessions.