Project: Understanding the entry pathways and viral life cycle of influenza A virus (IAV) in host epithelial cells and immune cells
Reading Group
Different subsets of cells in the respiratory tract are susceptible to infection by IAV, however certain cell types (ie: immune cells) can prevent virus replication while others cannot. In particular, airway macrophages block IAV replication (abortive) whereas airway epithelial cells support IAV growth (productive). Of interest, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strains can evade host restriction to productively replicate in airway macrophages. We have developed experimental approaches to examine and understand the life cycle of IAV in epithelial cells (productive) and macrophages (abortive). Moreover, will investigate the viral determinants of HPAI H5N1 that allow them to evade host restriction to productively replication in airway macrophages.
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Reading Group
2 vacancies
The Reading Group have expertise in understanding viral attachment factors, cellular receptors and entry pathways, virus-induced activation of host genes and the mechanisms by which intracellular host proteins can block virus replication.
Our current research is focussed on
(i) understanding the entry pathways and viral life cycle of respiratory viruses in host epithelial cells and immune cells
(ii) investigating host factors (viral restriction factors such as interferon stimulated genes) that control the replication of respiratory viruses in epithelial cells vs immune cells.
Reading Group Current Projects
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Investigating host factors that control the replication of respiratory viruses
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
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Understanding the entry pathways and viral life cycle of influenza A virus (IAV) in host epithelial cells and immune cells
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.