From Zika virus to SARS-CoV2, a number of recent emerging threats to human health are caused by viruses that use a single molecule of positive sense RNA (+ssRNA) as their genetic material.
Expanding vector ranges and increased human encroachment on wildlife means we will continue experiencing outbreaks by this class of viruses.
+ssRNA viruses use the same molecule of nucleic acid for viral protein expression and the template for replication. This presents a problem for the virus as it needs to regulate usage of the genetic material to serve as an efficient template for both processes.
We will use a multidisciplinary approach including in vitro reconstitution, cell biology and infection studies to determine how genome usage is regulated during infection.
Impact
Understanding how +ssRNA viruses replicate in the cell will identify virus specific processes that can be rapidly targeted to help contain new outbreaks.
