PhD. projects now available for 2011 in HCV RNA structure/function studies, RNA recombination and studies of honeybee viruses.

The picornavirus research group study the biology of a wide range of viruses with single-stranded positive-sense RNA genomes. The picornaviruses include the genus enteroviruses, such as poliovirus and rhinovirus, which cause well-defined diseases including paralytic poliomyelitis and upper respiratory tract infections (the "common cold"). These viruses have small, compact genomes, non-enveloped particles and have been extensively studied using reverse genetic analysis for almost three decades. Despite this intensive study there are still gaps in our understanding and we have active projects on:

• receptor binding and cell entry by enteroviruses, in particular those that use decay accelerating factor as a cell receptor
• the identification and role of RNA secondary structures (so-called cis-acting replication elements) in poliovirus replication
• the role of recombination in enterovirus evolution, and the molecular mechanisms(s) of recombination

Over the last few years we have extended these studies to other single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses. In particular we are interested in:

• the identification and function of cis-acting replication elements in hepatitis C virus
• the prediction and role of genome-scale RNA structure in the genomes of many RNA viruses, including plant viruses
• the analysis of recombination in picornaviruses of honeybees, the interaction of recombinant viruses with the honeybee immune response and the transmission of recombinant viruses by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor
• the identification and function of structured non-coding RNAs in marine viruses (in collaboration with Prof. David Scanlan)

We study fundamental aspects of the biology of these viruses with the long-term goal of understanding their replication, life cycle and evolution. A better understanding of these characteristics will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat virus infection, as well as providing the essential insights into virus biology that will help our comprehension of future viral threats to human and animal health.

This site contains details of our research activities and publications, funding, an overview of group membership, current vacancies and opportunities. It also contains links to research resources, including bioinformatics software developed in-house and by our collaborators. Some parts of the site are restricted to local access only.

Thank you for your interest in our research

David Evans