Research summary
RNA viruses are those that use ribonucleic acid rather than DNA as their genetic material and rely on host cells to replicate and produce new viral particles. RNA viruses like hepatitis C, dengue and Zika represent significant threats to global health, accounting for more than a quarter of all emerging infectious diseases. But we still don’t know how these viruses coordinate and regulate their activities to accumulate within their hosts.
As Canada Research Chair in RNA Biology and Viral Infections, Dr. Selena Sagan aims to address this knowledge gap. She and her research team are shedding light on the virus-host interactions that support the life cycles of RNA viruses. To do this, they are examining the properties of viral proteins and RNA as well as how they both behave in live cells during infection. Ultimately, their findings will advance our understanding of viral RNA accumulation and provide new antiviral interventions for both human and veterinary pathogens.