(CIT): Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous member of the ?-herpesvirus family. Although infection is usually asymptomatic in healthy children and adults, HCMV is the leading viral cause of birth defects and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. HCMV remains a major complication following bone marrow transplantation, despite improved anti-viral therapies. The NIH Director's Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series includes weekly scientific talks by some of the top researchers in the biomedical sciences worldwide.