The research in the Ojala group aims to dissect the transcriptional regulatory networks of reprogramming of lymphatic endothelial cell (LECs) and investigate the contribution of the reprogrammed cells to Kaposi sarcomagenesis. We are also continuing our previous work to deepen the molecular understanding of the regulation of the two KSHV replication programs, the latent and lytic replication phases. Moreover, the discovery of virus-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has motivated us to hypothesize that LEC reprogramming could be involved also in other cancers involving the lymphatics. We are applying a variety of molecular biology techniques, developing sophisticated cell models combined with large- and medium-scale, image-based high-content screening platforms as well as in vivo mouse tumor models .