The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

EDUCATION

Research Projects

Project: Mapping seasonal coronavirus genes that suppress the human innate immune response

Subbarao Group

Seasonal coronaviruses (sCoVs) cause 15-30% of common colds annually. While it is well established that multiple SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins can dampen the host innate immune response, these crucial virus-host interactions have not been examined for sCoVs. This project will use molecular cloning, biological reporter assays and virus infection models to identify the viral genes associated with restriction of innate immune response in human cells.

Contact project supervisor for further
information and application enquiries

Project Supervisor

Professor Kanta Subbarao

Project Co-supervisor

Dr Matthew Gartner

Professor Jason Mackenzie

Project availability
Master of Biomedical Science
Honours

Subbarao Group

kanta.subbarao@unimelb.edu.au

4 vacancies

Themes
Viral Infectious Diseases
Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
Cross Cutting Disciplines
Public Health
Clinical and health systems research

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.