Recently, Professor Ma Chunhong and Associate Researcher Wu Zhuanchang from the School of Basic Medical Sciences of Shandong University published the research results entitled “DNA Sensor ABCF1 Phase Separates with cccDNA to Inhibit Hepatitis B Virus Replication” in Advanced Science (TOP in Zone 1 of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5-year IF=16.3). A new mechanism was revealed to restrict HBV replication through the formation of phase separation between the host and cccDNA, and Ren Caiyue, a doctoral student from the School of Basic Medical Sciences, was the first author and the corresponding author of the paper.

This study reveals a novel mechanism by which the host restricts the transcriptional activity of cccDNA through ABCF1-mediated phase separation, providing a new perspective for HBV antiviral therapy. Professor Ma Chunhong's team has long been committed to the research of immunology and HBV-related liver diseases, systematically exploring the mechanism of liver inflammation and malignant transformation induced by environmental factors such as HBV and metabolism, and the relevant research results have been published in international journals such as Sci Transl Med, J Hepatol, Nat Commun, J Exp Med, Gastroenterology, Gut, Hepatology, etc.