Research summary
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses represent a significant threat to global health. During an RNA virus infection, the viral genome itself must serve as a template for viral protein production, RNA synthesis, and packaging of infectious virions. However, how viruses coordinate and regulate these activities to accumulate in their hosts remains a mystery. Dr. Selana Sagan, Canada Research Chair in RNA Biology and Viral Infections, is trying to solve this mystery.
She and her research team are focusing on RNA biology and viral infections with the goal of better understanding the virus-host interactions that are important to RNA viruses’ lifecycles. Ultimately, their findings will improve our understanding of viral RNA accumulation and provide new avenues for developing antiviral interventions for these important human pathogens.