From proteins to virus particles: the structure and function virions
From proteins to virus particles: the structure and function virions
This programme will tackle fundamental questions about how virions behave across a range of scales, from their constituent proteins to the way they interact as populations within a host. The structure and dynamics of virus proteins comprise a fundamental determinant of the outcome of infection. They evolve in response to diverse selection pressures but are constrained by the need to preserve essential protein function. Disentangling the relationships between structure, function and evolution therefore requires a multi-scale, holistic approach. Advances in determining protein structure and dynamics by macromolecular imaging are currently revolutionising virus biology. This programme integrates these advances with others in molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and mathematical modelling to investigate key respiratory viruses.