How does structured RNA in the Chikungunya virus genome control replication in human and mosquito host cells?

Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-transmitted arbovirus that reemerged as an epidemic in 2005 around the Indian Ocean, before spreading across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. It continues to spread across regions harbouring its mosquito vector - including much of North America and Western Europe. Chikungunya virus causes acute ‘Dengue or Zika like’ symptoms and chronic, debilitating musculoskeletal pain with neurological complications.

We recently published a study (Kendall et al., 2019 NAR) identifying novel structural elements within the RNA genome of Chikungunya virus. While the RNA structures are essential for efficient replication of the virus genome, evidence suggests that they are under different selection pressures in their human and mosquito host-cells. This project will use cutting edge molecular virology, genomics and structural methods to investigate mechanisms by which RNA structure in the Chikungunya virus genome functions in human and mosquito host cells.

There are no vaccines or antiviral therapies for Chikungunya virus. The longer-term goal of our research is to provide greater understanding of the virus replication cycle - in order to develop attenuated vaccines and novel antiviral targets. As part of the Tuplin group you will trained within an active cross-disciplinary research environment.