Thomas Bowden
Molecular specificity which underlies receptor-mediated cross-species transmission of a pathogenic henipavirus. |
Thomas Bowden
Associate Professor
Emerging zoonotic viruses cross the species barrier from animals to humans or vice-versa. Their ability to propagate in human cells is dependent on a variety of factors, most importantly, the ability to target particular cell types by binding to receptor molecules displayed on the surface of the host cell. Our group is interested in applying techniques in structural biology, immunology, and cell biology, to delineate the role of viral glycoproteins during infection and antibody-mediated neutralization. We are particularly interested in studying tropical and exotic RNA viruses for which there are limited vaccines or treatments and which are often underrepresented in terms of academic and pharmaceutical interest.
Our biophysical studies have revealed common strategies by which viruses have evolved to interact with natural hosts and also support molecular-level rationales for how viruses can be transmitted to unrelated organisms and thus pose severe health risks. Ultimately, the structural information revealed from this work is being aimed towards the development of therapeutic antibodies and antiviral reagents which can inhibit viral entry processes.
Key publications
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A Protective Monoclonal Antibody Targets a Site of Vulnerability on the Surface of Rift Valley Fever Virus
Journal article
Allen ER. et al, (2018), Cell Reports, 25, 3750 - 3758.e4
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Convergent immunological solutions to Argentine hemorrhagic fever virus neutralization
Journal article
Zeltina A. et al, (2017), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114, 7031 - 7036
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Structure of a phleboviral envelope glycoprotein reveals a consolidated model of membrane fusion
Journal article
Halldorsson S. et al, (2016), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113, 7154 - 7159
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Structure of the Lassa virus glycan shield provides a model for immunological resistance
Journal article
Watanabe Y. et al, (2018), Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115, 7320 - 7325
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Idiosyncratic Mòjiāng virus attachment glycoprotein directs a host-cell entry pathway distinct from genetically related henipaviruses
Journal article
Rissanen I. et al, (2017), Nature Communications, 8
Recent publications
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Recent Advances in Bunyavirus Glycoprotein Research: Precursor Processing, Receptor Binding and Structure
Journal article
Hulswit RJG. et al, (2021), Viruses, 13, 353 - 353
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A novel circulating tamiami mammarenavirus shows potential for zoonotic spillover.
Journal article
Moreno H. et al, (2020), PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 14
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Molecular rationale for antibody-mediated targeting of the hantavirus fusion glycoprotein.
Journal article
Rissanen I. et al, (2020), eLife, 9
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Parallel evolution in the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses
Journal article
Escalera-Zamudio M. et al, (2020), Nature Communications, 11
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Vulnerabilities in coronavirus glycan shields despite extensive glycosylation
Journal article
Watanabe Y. et al, (2020), Nature Communications, 11