RNA Virus-Host Interactions
RNA viruses have a limited coding capacity and a high mutation rate, requiring the evolution of pleiotropic gene products with functional plasticity. These same characteristics may lead to the rapid rise of drug resistance and the limited effectiveness of developed vaccines. On the other hand, these viruses must rely heavily on the host molecular architecture for replication and survival. As such, host factors that either contribute to or impede viral replication may be suitable targets for next-generation therapeutics.
In the Hultquist lab, we are using a variety of new, high-throughput technologies and approaches to better characterize the physical and functional interactions that drive the replication of and host cell response to diverse RNA viruses including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), Ebola virus (EBOV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). By understanding the host-pathogen interaction that drive the replication of these established and emerging viruses, we hope to identify new single-use and pan-pathogenic therapeutic strategies.
Active Projects:
- Mapping the physical interactions of HIV proteins in myeloid compartments;
- Mapping the physical interactions of RSV proteins in lung compartments;
- Analyzing the proteomic response to diverse strains of replicating IAV;
- Developing novel genetic systems for the study of HBV host factors;
- Determining the impact of characterized EBOV factors on virus replication.