Cryo-electron microscopy of pathogens and receptor complexes. (360G-Wellcome-059711_Z_99_C)

The program will use cryo-electron microscopy and three-dimension reconstruction to study pathogenic viruses and the effects of infection on cells. Much of the microscopy will be conducted under P3 conditions and is associated with the establishment of a Facility for the Examination of Infectious Particles in Oxford which will include contained high end cryo-microscopes. The topics explored will include viral membrane fusion and receptor binding as well as virion structure and assembly. Icosahedral, helical, single particle and tomographic reconstruction methods will be employed depending upon degree of symmetry and homogeneity in the preparation. The agents studied will include SFV, HBV, HCV, HIV, TBE, BTV, CPV and integrin binding. Studies of the complexes of the TNF receptor/ligand family by single particle methods will be used to examine transmembrane interactions in this system.