Jay Chiorini

The overall research goal of Dr. Chiorini’s AAV Biology Section is to define the interactions of AAV with its target cell. By understanding these interactions and the biology of the virus, vectors with enhanced activity can be developed and existing vectors can be more finely targeted to specific applications.

Ongoing projects are looking at possibilities to use these vectors to treat diseases with the unmet clinical need. Of special interest, are vectors that can target diseases of the salivary gland including radiation-induced xerostomia and Sjogren’s syndrome. In addition to developing gene therapy vectors targeted to the salivary gland, research projects investigate the etiology and epigenetic regulation of salivary gland dysfunction. Findings from his group’s research are in clinical development and early-stage clinical trials at the NIH and around the world, Dr. Chiorini has published more than 100 papers and is an inventor on more than 20 patents.

Dr. John (Jay) Chiorini received a BA in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Ph.D. in genetics from George Washington University. Dr. Chiorini completed post-doctoral training fellowships at both the National Institutes of General Medical Science (NIGMS) in the pharmacology research and training program, and at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at NIH. As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Chiorini’s research focused on the role of the Rep proteins in AAV replication and the virus lifecycle. He cloned some of the first non-AAV2 serotypes including AAV4 and AAV5. Dr. Chiorini joined the NIDCR in 1999 and currently serves as chief of the Adeno-Associated Virus Biology Section, Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch. Previously he served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Atsena.