Probing Molecular Mechanisms of Viral-Host Interactions

Holly Ramage, PhD, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, is taking on some of the world’s most prevalent infectious diseases. She seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms of viral-host interactions in the flaviviruses—including dengue, Zika and West Nile virus—that are endemic in many areas of the world. “Increasing evidence indicates that many viruses, including flaviviruses, have evolved mechanisms to manipulate cellular machinery in order to promote infection,” Dr. Ramage says. “My lab examines the physical interactions that occur between flavivirus and host-cell proteins. We use powerful proteomics and genomics techniques—including siRNA knockdowns, CRISPR knockouts and mutagenesis strategies—to identify the changes in cellular proteins that allow viral infection and permit viruses to evade the immune system.