Speaker: Collin M. Timm
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison

2/21/12
Quantitative Transcription and Replication Dynamics of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus – Towards a Predictive Model of Viral Growth
Tuesday
4:00 pm
Biotechnology Center Auditorium, 425 Henry Mall

Abstract:
Viruses are a major threat to human health causing diseases ranging from the common cold to many cancers. Anti-viral treatments are currently designed by targeting specific viral mechanisms but due to many interconnected events the effect on the overall infection cycle is difficult to predict. Using vesicular stomatitis virus as a model virus we are making quantitative measurements of viral RNA to determine rates of viral transcription and replication. These rates are used to inform a mechanistic model of virus growth to predict viral behavior in new environments, such as drug treated cells.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is an RNA virus which means the genes are encoded on an RNA strand. After the viral genome is delivered to the cell, primary transcription begins. As viral mRNA are translated into viral protein the viral polymerase switches from a transcription mode to a replication mode, and genome replication begins. Further accumulation of viral proteins leads to packaging of new virus particles, and the infection can proceed in subsequent cells.