Saurabh Chattopadhyay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Our lab is studying innate immune responses against virus infections. For past 15 years, our research has focused on how the interferon system, the first line of defense against virus infection, protects from infections caused by a wide range of viruses. In this context, we have uncovered novel cellular mechanisms by which virus-infected cells can mount antiviral responses by inducing novel viral restriction factors, triggering cell death, and curbing inflammatory responses. Primarily, we use respiratory virus infection models to study various facets of these antiviral mechanisms in cells and mice. Our studies revealed that IRF3, a transcription factor involved in inducing interferons, has transcription-independent functions in triggering apoptotic cell death in virus-infected cells. More recently, we identified a novel anti-inflammatory function of IRF3, independent of its transcriptional or pro-apoptotic activities, by interfering with NF-kB functions. We extended our studies to other inflammatory responses, e.g., bacterial sepsis and liver diseases, in which the IRF3 also plays a critical role. Our lab collaborates closely to study mechanisms of cytokine signaling and their role in inflammatory arthritis. Before joining the University of Kentucky, I worked as an Associate Professor at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and as a Project Staff at the Cleveland Clinic.