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Focus of our research

Scientist at microscopeScientist at microscopeTo understand the biology of viruses and how they infect their host cells, it is important to be able to study the viruses in their infectious native state and also in their cellular context.

Groups in OPIC focus in studying structures of purified virus particles and virus host-cell interactions. OPIC houses state-of-the-art biosafety containment laboratories at ACDP category 3 and DEFRA 4 levels of containment. This facilitates the study of a number of viruses that are important to human and animal health.

Examples of our research

STRUCTURAL CELL BIOLOGY OF VIRUS INFECTION

Kay Grünewald - Our aim is a comprehensive picture of the functional interaction between viral protein complexes and cellular structures in the course of the infection. Viruses being studied include Herpes simplex virus type 1 and HIV. Read full biography

STRUCTURES AND HOST CELL INTERACTIONS OF EMERGING VIRUSES

Juha Huiskonen - We study the ultrastructure and cell entry mechanisms of viruses causing heamorrhagic fevers. Current focus is members of Arenaviridae (Lassa virus) and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever virus). Read full biography

A PIPELINE FOR STRUCTURAL VACCINOLOGY

Dave Stuart - We use atomic resolution structures of viral particles to guide the design of stabilized vaccines. This ‘structural vaccinology’ approach is used for the development of a safe, synthetic stabilised virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine for foot and-mouth disease virus and poliovirus. Read full biography