Dissecting molecular mechanisms of genome assortment and packaging in rotaviruses

Alex's research background is in investigating the molecular mechanisms of RNA virus assembly using state-of-the-art biophysical techniques. During his Fellowship he will continue research in this area using advanced single-molecule spectroscopy methods, which are ideally suited for revealing RNA-RNA interactions involved in rotavirus genome segment selection and packaging. He has established a collaboration between world-class experts in rotavirology Dr John T Patton (NIH, Bethesda) and Dr Ulrich Desselberger (University of Cambridge); Professor Andrew Lever (University of Cambridge), an expert in viral RNA structure and dynamics; and Professor Don C Lamb (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich), for expertise on single-molecule spectroscopy and advanced ultra-sensitive methods of imaging biomolecules. Alex will be sponsored by Professor Peter Stockley at the University of Leeds.