Award details

Studentship: Avian Astrovirus genome encapsidation: a novel molecular target for antiviral interventions

Reference	BBS/E/I/00002117
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Ashley Roberts
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Venugopal Nair
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	374,424
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	05/10/2015
End date	31/03/2017
Duration	17 months

Abstract

Astroviruses are of both medical and veterinary importance with vaccines or therapeutics currently unavailable. The molecular biology of these viruses is currently poorly understood and will be important in future control efforts. In common with other viruses Astroviruses must enclose their genome in a protein capsid. To achieve this, other +ssRNA viruses utilise multiple RNA:capsid protein interactions to provide specificity of genome encapsidation and to ensure the correct and efficient assembly of intact mature capsids as a key step in the viral infection cycle. In collaboration between the Pirbright Institute and the Twarock Group at the University of York we wish to establish the molecular basis of genome encapsidation by Avian Nephritis Virus, a member of the Avastrovirus genus. Following on from work performed on other viruses by the Twarock group and collaborators, this studentship will examine the interactions of viral genomic RNAs with their cognate capsid proteins. For this, a variety of molecular and structural techniques will be used to generate molecular and biochemical data to inform computational modelling of the molecular processes underpinning ANV genome encapsidation, which will in turn provide new insights and experimental avenues to pursue to understand this process.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Animal Health, Microbiology, Structural Biology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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