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 current 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 influenza as our primary model virus. 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.

Funding Sources: