My research focuses on viruses of the family poxviridae, double-stranded DNA viruses with large genomes encoding approximately 200 genes. Members of this family include variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox) and the emergent monkeypox virus, which causes a smallpox-like disease in humans. The large genome of the poxviruses encodes numerous products targeting the immune system, such as soluble cytokine and chemokine binding proteins. This includes the Interleukin-18 binding protein which blocks IL-18 activity thereby reducing Natural Killer-cell activity and Interferon-gamma levels, both key components of an antiviral response (my thesis work). Currently, we are using bioinformatics to understand the evolution of the IL-18BP and other poxvirus genes. We are also investigating the role of non-coding RNA in the virus life-cycle.
