Structural Virology and Viral Dynamics
SARS CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein dynamics
After the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe, our focus turned towards contributing to SARS CoV-2 research. We have previously reported a map of the Spike:ACE2 interactions and have mapped the recombinant spike protein dynamics from emerging variants. Our research is continuing to look at spike protein dynamics on the whole virus particle as well as following Furin binding throughout variant progression.
Viral capsid dynamics and protein-nucleic acid complexes
How viruses use their quaternary coat protein structures as thermodynamic sensors for detecting entry into a conducive host cell environment is largely unknown. Amide Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS) in combination with structural mass spectrometry techniques can be used to monitor whole viral particle dynamics in solution. A map of the quaternary structural changes in disassembly state offers critical insights into cryptic epitopes as novel vaccine targets. Our research has pioneered structural mass spectrometry characterization of temperature and divalent cation-dependent conformational changes on Turnip Crinkle Virus (TCV) and mapped the specific disassembly process. We have also mapped the epitopes of known Coxsackie virus antibodies and screened for cryptic epitopes along other portions of the viral capsid. Lastly, our lab has worked to characterize the structure and dynamics of an intrinsically disordered capsid protein found in HPV16 that is responsible for viral DNA trafficking.