Our lab focuses on emerging ssRNA+ zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses, such as chikungunya and dengue, which pose growing global health risks due to urbanization, international travel, and climate change-driven shifts in mosquito populations. These viruses cause illnesses with symptoms ranging from fever and myalgia to severe encephalitis and chronic arthralgia. We aim to uncover viral emergence mechanisms, identify host factors influencing viral replication and transmission, and deepen our understanding of viral RNA and host interactions, ultimately enhancing preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics.
Mechanisms of Viral Emergence
The adaptation of zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses to urban mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus has historically driven widespread outbreaks. Many of these viruses are primarily transmitted by sylvatic mosquitoes in enzootic cycles, but there is a risk of adaptation to urban mosquito vectors. Our research focuses on understanding how adaptive mutations and host interactions contribute to the emergence and reemergence of these viruses with the goals of improving prediction, surveillance, and response.
Host restriction factors and host pro-viral factors
Our lab investigates the processes involved in the replication of zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses within mosquito and vertebrate host cells. Viruses and their hosts have co-evolved over long periods, and understanding how viruses exploit cellular machinery for replication increases our knowledge of both viral and host cell functions. This knowledge can be used to develop new tools for prevention and treatment.
RNA biology of ssRNA+ viruses and host cells
RNA plays pivotal roles in numerous cellular processes, including, but not limited to, serving as a template for protein translation. Both viral and host RNAs are critical to the lifecycle of ssRNA+ viruses, influencing their replication and transmission. Our lab is particularly interested in exploring the diverse functions of viral and cellular RNAs during infection. We aim to uncover how these RNAs are translated, interact, how viral RNA hijacks host cellular machinery and the broader impact of these interactions in viral transmission. This research could lead to novel antiviral strategies targeting specific RNA processes critical for viral replication and transmission.