Snawar Hussain, Ph.D.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a recently emerged human coronavirus, which is distinct from other coronaviruses in both pathogenicity and genome complexity. The SARS - CoV encodes a number of novel "accessory" proteins. My current work focus on the role of SARS-CoV accessory proteins in viral pathogenesis in the context of a heterologous mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) system. Functional characterization of these accessory proteins will ultimately lead to better understanding of pathogenesis and epidemiology of SARS and other related Coronaviruses

Ana Shulla

The coronavirus spikes are made up of complex glycoprotein trimers. These spikes initiate coronavirus infection by binding to cellular receptors and then catalyzing fusion of virion and cell membranes. Coronavirus assembly takes place even without spike proteins, consequently virion spikes vary greatly, from zero to hundreds per virion. My studies are focused on determining how variable spike densities influence coronavirus entry. 

Heidi Olivares 

SARS coronaviruses have acquired several genes that appear to have novel "accessory" roles in the infection process. One of these is protein 6, a small 63-amino acid peptide that has the remarkable capacity to increase the efficiency of replication by a related mouse coronavirus. My studies are focused on understanding how protein 6 operates in coronavirus infections.

Chandra Tangudu 

I have been involved in several projects. Currently my focus is on coronavirus assembly, discerning the heterotypic protein and RNA interactions taking place during virion budding. I use model systems involving both SARS and murine coronavirus assembly components in my studies.