The dynamics of cell entry and genome replication in a model complex virus

Viruses enter host cells to establish infection and replicate, i.e. make more copies of their components and assemble into progeny viruses in order to spread. Preventing steps in this process offers the opportunity to control virus disease. Here we focus on Bluetongue virus (a member of a large family of viruses) as a model for complex capsid viruses, to provide answers to fundamental questions of cell entry, genome replication and the generation of new infectious particles. BTV is a pathogenic virus causing economic losses in livestock and the closely related rotavirus causes over 500,000 deaths worldwide through childhood diarrhoea. Using multidisciplinary approaches including state-of-the-art techniques in molecular biology, mutagenesis, super resolution microscopy and cryoEM/ET, we will define the entry and replication processes of these viruses. The results will provide insights into the molecular and structural basis of virus replication and inform rational novel future treatments.