Virus Structures

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Dr David Bhella, Lead Investigator and Dr Edward Hutchinson as a Co-Investigator, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR)University of Glasgow.The virus structure programme aims to understand how proteins are assembled into functional virus particles. We are investigating several viruses of medical and veterinary importance including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes simplex virus and Zika virus, with a primary focus on influenza (flu) virus. Flu viruses cause frequent outbreaks of respiratory infections and can cause severe disease. When we grow flu virus in the lab, it typically produces spherical virus particles. On the other hand, flu that has recently been isolated from clinical infections is also able to form extremely long, filamentous virus particles. These function of these filaments is unknown, though they have been shown to be important for transmission in animals. We are therefore working to define the role filaments play during flu infections. More broadly, we are investigating the identity and structure of the virus and host proteins that make up virus particles and how these relate to viruses’ form and function. To do so, we are developing new approaches to studying virus composition and structure; in particular, by pioneering methods for determining the shape of virus-related molecules within the cell. These studies may allow us to define new ways to treat flu and other viruses.