Many common enteric viruses can also infect cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Such neurotropic viruses infect >50 million people annually, causing encephalitis, meningitis, and other complications. Picornaviruses and astroviruses stand out for their ability to infect cells of both gut and neuronal origins. Our research seeks to understand the molecular basis of how enteric viruses can display both neurovirulence and gut-specific replication.

Our research focuses on the replication and pathogenicity of intestinal RNA viruses. Many common enteric viruses can also infect cells of the central nervous system, causing encephalitis, meningitis, and other complications. Picornaviruses and astroviruses can infect both intestinal and neuronal cells. We use human intestinal and brain organoids as a platform to address organ-specific determinants of enteric virus infection. We develop a range of molecular tools to address fundamental questions in enterovirus and astrovirus biology:

Our research builds a transformative platform applicable to other viruses and hosts, where diverse tropisms shape the diseases they cause. Our findings are enhancing understanding of the tissue-specific properties of clinically important pathogens, advancing the development of therapeutics and vaccines, and informing public health measures. 

In our studies, we use a variety of approaches. We integrate molecular virology (reverse genetics, replicon systems, reporters), biochemistry (RNA/protein assays, mass spectrometry), imaging (live-cell and confocal imaging), ribosome profiling, NGS RNA sequencing, AlphaFold3, RNA SHAPE, host-pathogen manipulations (CRISPR, siRNA, virus evolution and adaptation) and iPSC/organoid techologies to help us understand the underlying viral replication mechanisms and host-pathogen crosstalk. 

Our lab is funded by the Wellcome Trust Career Development Award until 2034.