On Sept. 29, 2004, a team from scientists from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oregon Health & Science University reported they had discovered a record number of proteins for one of the largest and most complex viruses, the highly infectious and stealthy human cytomegalovirus.

Human cytomegalovirus, or HCMV, is a member of the herpesvirus family. HCMV is the leading viral cause of birth defects and is a serious threat to transplant and AIDS patients and others with a compromised immune system.

The team discovered 71 proteins in mature HCMV, double the number previously identified. The two institutions identified the viral and host proteins that compose the HCMV virion. The identification of proteins in the HCMV virion may lead to the development of new treatments for these at-risk patients. A comprehensive analysis of the proteins that constitute the HCMV virion had not been possible until the recent development of new proteomics technologies in the PNNL lab of Richard Smith.