One of the focus of our laboratory is the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics against new and emerging viral pathogens. Using state of the art phenotypic screening methods, we have identified several small molecules that regulate viral infection. The proposed research project will focus on using biochemical and molecular genetic approaches as well conventional tools such as the pseudotype and minigenome systems to study the mechanism of viral entry and replication that are inhibited by the identified small molecule therapeutics. Application of omic technologies such as functional genomics and proteomics will provide further insight on host-pathogen interactions and help identify druggable host targets. The discovery and characterization of host genes will shed light on the underlying molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. Notably, our findings may lead to the identification of cellular targets for developing novel classes of antivirals, such as host-directed antiviral therapeutics.

Lancet Infect Dis., 20(9):e231-e237, 2020.

ACS Infectious Diseases 1(7), 317-326., 2016. 

ACS Infect Dis., 1(6):264-71, 2015.

Nucleic acid Ther. 24(3):179-185, 2014

key words

Viral pathogen, Therapeutic Discovery, High-content imaging, proteomics, functional genomics

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants