Viruses

Viral infections place an enormous burden on human health and well-being. As a result, virology research is often focused on making discoveries that will inform the identification of new means of preventing and treating viral infections. The study of viruses has also led to fundamental discoveries in molecular biology, immunology and cancer biology. Virology research in MaPS falls into three categories:

Basic mechanisms of viral infection. Viruses must infect a host cell in order to replicate. During infection they highjack the molecular machinery of the host to replicate the viral genome, synthesize viral proteins and assemble progeny virions. Newly assembled virions then need to escape the host before infecting additional cells or organisms. Researchers in MaPS are asking fundamental questions about how viruses replicate while escaping or circumventing the immune response of the host. We are developing and applying genetic, biochemical and biophysical approaches to interrogate the molecular mechanisms underlying the replication of a variety of viral pathogens, including HIV, Ebola, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2. For more information, please visit the Morrison and Munro laboratory websites.

Host-virus interactions. At every stage of infection, viruses must interact with the host in order to manipulate the environment, prioritize expression of viral genes and subvert cellular defenses. At the same time, the host fights back by producing molecules that combat viral infections. MaPS researchers are working to identify host factors on which viruses depend during replication, as well as factors that exist to restrict virus replication. This work aims to identify novel targets that can be exploited with the next generation of antiviral therapies. Current focus is on cytomegalovirus, influenza, hepatitis B virus, and SARS-CoV-2. For more information, please visit the Kowalik and McDougall laboratory websites.

Vaccine and immunogen design. Since their advent in the late 18th century, vaccines have saved countless lives. Vaccines are based on immunogens that are designed to resemble viral proteins. When a vaccine is administered to a patient an immune response is elicited that provides protection in the event of future exposure to the virus. With a particular focus on respiratory syncytial virus, MaPS researchers are investigating the role of protein conformation and dynamics in eliciting a protective antibody response. They are using this information to inform the optimization of vaccines. For more information, please visit the Morrison laboratory website.