Evolutionary dynamics of host-virus interactions
Our goal is to understand how the network of interactions formed between viruses and their hosts have shaped their evolution, how these interactions constrain viral zoonotic transfers, and how these interactions differ between host species.
We use structural bioinformatics, host–virus protein–protein interaction analysis, comparative genomics, and in vitro virological and immunological assays to discover:
- How viral proteins evolved to interact with host proteins to successfully hijack cellular machinery for viral replication.
- Which interactions in the network of host-virus protein interactions change to support the emergence of new viral strains.
- How humans differ from other species (and from one another) in their response to infection.
- How the immune response evolved to balance a strong reaction against pathogens with constraints to avoid self-inflicted damage.
