Biophysical mechanisms of viral spread and antiviral immunity

Speaker: Michael Vahey, Washington University in St. Louis

Host: Gregg Duncan

Abstract: A single cell infected by influenza virus can produce hundreds to thousands of new virions. The fate of these virions – whether they spread infection, become neutralized, or contribute to a mounting immune response - is heavily influenced by molecular interactions that play out on the virion surface. In this seminar, I will present our recent efforts using fluorescence microscopy and a single-particle approach to virology to dissect how interactions between the influenza virus surface proteins and a variety of host factors influence the spatial structure of viral spread. We find that competition between the viral surface proteins for cellular receptors modulates the frequency with which single cells are infected by multiple virions, enabling cooperation or competition between the co-infecting viral genomes with implications for viral evolution. We also find that viral spread is antagonized by a broad range of antibodies that inhibit virus assembly and release - functions that are distinct from other modes of antibody-mediated protection - and we identify structural features of antibodies that contribute to their potency in this regard. Collectively, these experiments help establish a picture for how both host and viral proteins contribute to the spatial structure of influenza virus spread, and identify potential avenues for the development of improved countermeasures.

Seminars start at 4:00 pm, and refreshments will be served at 3:45 pm. All seminars are held in the Conference Room (1116) of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology (IPST) Building unless otherwise noted.