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SUMMARY:RNA viruses: comparative genomics and gene expression mechanisms -
  Andrew Firth\, Dept of Pathology
DTSTART:20151015T120000Z
DTEND:20151015T130000Z
UID:TALK61120@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:38889
DESCRIPTION:RNA viruses have compact multifunctional genomes. During the c
 ourse of infection\, the genome or its derivatives must direct translation
  of virus proteins\, genome replication and genome packaging. To realize t
 hese multiple roles\, RNA virus genomes commonly have many overlapping cod
 ing and non-coding functional elements. Overlapping functional elements ha
 ve often escaped detection because it can be difficult to disentangle the 
 multiple roles of the constituent nucleotides via\, for example\, mutation
 al analysis. On the other hand\, RNA viruses evolve very rapidly and there
  are many sequenced isolates\, thus providing potential for powerful compa
 rative genomic analyses\, even within single virus species. We have been u
 sing comparative genomics to systematically identify 'hidden' functional e
 lements in RNA virus genomes. Computationally identified features can then
  be efficiently targeted for experimental analysis. We are particularly in
 terested in characterizing unusual translation mechanisms - such as riboso
 mal frameshifting\, stop codon readthrough\, non-AUG initiation and IRES-m
 ediated initiation - that are so frequently used by RNA viruses for gene e
 xpression. Recent work has focused on the atypical programmed ribosomal fr
 ameshifting mechanisms utilized by the arteriviruses and the cardioviruses
 \, and RNA polymerase slippage in the potyviruses. To further understand t
 hese mechanisms\, we have also employed the emerging technique of Ribosome
  Profiling.
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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