Project: Defining the role of secreted mucins in seasonal human coronavirus infection
Subbarao Group
Human coronaviruses 229E (HCoV-229E) and NL63 (HCoV-NL63) are endemic worldwide and cause mild upper respiratory infections but can cause severe disease, particularly in vulnerable populations. Airway mucus serves as the initial defense against foreign particles and pathogens in the respiratory tract. The secreted mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B are the primary structural components of airway mucus and are crucial for mucociliary clearance. While the protective role of mucins in respiratory diseases is well known, our understanding of how secreted mucins impact coronavirus infections remains limited. Using human airway epithelial cells, this project will establish the influence of MUC5AC and MUC5B on HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63 infection and compared with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Subbarao Group
4 vacancies
Research in the Subbarao laboratory focuses on respiratory viral diseases of global importance including pandemic and seasonal influenza and coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and human coronaviruses. We study virus biology and pathogenesis, airborne spread of respiratory viruses, immune responses to infection and vaccination, and antiviral drugs. We use state of the art techniques in virology, molecular biology and immunology, including reverse genetics, infection of stem cell derived tissues and studies in animal models.
Subbarao Group Current Projects
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Defining the role of secreted mucins in seasonal human coronavirus infection
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Defining the placental response to virus infection
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science
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Using complex in vitro respiratory models and reverse genetics to study seasonal coronaviruses
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Investigating the evolution of seasonal coronaviruses and the effects of these changes on viral replication, neutralisation and receptor binding
PhD/MPhil, Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
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Mapping seasonal coronavirus genes that suppress the human innate immune response
Master of Biomedical Science, Honours
Research degrees at the Doherty Institute are administered by the University of Melbourne.