Robb Lab
Hello and welcome to the Robb group!
We use advanced microscopy to study how viruses replicate and develop novel methods for viral imaging, detection and diagnosis
RNA viruses
The diverse grouping of RNA viruses includes many important human, animal and plant pathogens. The diseases caused by these viruses include influenza, COVID-19, Zika, Ebola, rabies, polio and measles, all of which result in substantial mortality in humans as well as having severe economic impacts worldwide.
Pandemic potential
In addition to causing seasonal epidemics or localized outbreaks, many RNA viruses have pandemic potential, as epitomized by the 2009 ‘Swine flu’ and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite significant progress in the study of these viruses, many fundamental unanswered questions remain.
What we do
In our lab, we combine traditional biology methods with single-molecule biophysics to study how viruses replicate, using model systems such as influenza and coronaviruses. We also use novel fluorescence-based methods for virus imaging and develop rapid viral detection and diagnostic tests.
The goal of our interdisciplinary approach is to allow us to understand the basic biology of RNA viruses and lead to new ways to diagnose and combat viral disease.