Virus manipulation of a host cell micro-RNA regulates gene expression in viral replication and transformation

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are abundant endogenous RNAs and emerging evidence suggests they regulate gene expression by multiple processes. As such, miRNAs may play a central role in regulating a wide variety of biological processes and dysregulation of miRNAs expression may be implicated in human disease.We have exciting preliminary data suggesting that miRNA expression is manipulated by HPV to regulate downstream host signalling. This suggests that virus-mediated miRNA dysregulation plays a fundamental and essential role in regulating virus and host cell gene expression required for viral pathogenesis and transformation. The aim of this project is to determine how virus-mediated manipulation of host cell miRNAs regulate both virus and host cell gene expression during virus infection. Moreover, the project will identify novel host factors which regulate HPV replication and transformation, highlighting potential therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this important virus. The project will utilise a multidisciplinary approach involving cutting-edge techniques including mIR-seq profiling coupled with NGS analysis, bioinformatic analysis, confocal imaging and cell biology and use of physiological model cell culture systems.