Understanding the catalytic and non-catalytic roles of the essential 3D protein in the FMDV replication complex

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Foot-and-mouth disease virus causes a livestock disease of great economic importance. The UK 2001 outbreak resulted in billions of pounds of losses to the agriculture and tourism industries. This disease is endemic in many parts of the world (including outbreaks in countries bordering Europe) and transmits between animals very rapidly. Therefore, despite trade restrictions, another UK outbreak is inevitable. We strive to understand the lifecycle of the disease-causing agent; foot-and-mouth disease virus. We are studying the strategies that the virus uses to replicate inside cells in order to make further viruses to spread infection. A key to this is the virus polymerase. This enzyme is responsible for making copies of the virus genetic material. This is a unique function of the virus - mammalian cells do not possess this ability - and therefore potentially key in the development of new approaches to disease control.