SARS Cov2
Understanding the virus
We have adapted our methods used to study other viruses, such as HIV and Sindbis, to study the virus causing the pandemic sweeping the world. In collaboration with virology labs such as the Castello and McKeating labs we are working to understand how the SARS Cov2 virus infects our cells and how that infection progresses.
A work in progress
This research is ongoing, using our expertise in RNA biology and single-molecule imaging. We have discovered many interesting aspects of SARS Cov2 infection and have several papers in preparation, so watch this space!
Dynamics of Viral Infection
Viral RNA and infection
Many of the most deadly viral diseases are caused by viruses with RNA as their genetic material. The mechanics of how these viruses take over our cells and turn them into machines to produce more virus particles is a key area of research. In the Davis lab we have applied our expertise in RNA biology and imaging technology to address these questions in collaboration with our colleagues in the Castello Lab.
RNA-binding proteins
A key method we utilise in this research is cross-linked immuno-precipitation (CLIP), which enables us to discover the RNA-binding proteins involved in virus infection of human cells. This method has become a standard in our lab thanks to expertise of the Castello lab.
Viral Factories
Using the methods we have established in the lab for smFISH in the fly nervous system, we have studied the location and progression of large aggregations of virus particles as they are synthesised in the.lab (above left). Studying these 'viral factories' gives us real insight into infection dynamics of viruses.
Selected Publications
(2020) Truman CT, Järvelin A, Davis I, Castello A.
HIV Rev-isited. Open Biol.
(2019)Garcia-Moreno M, Noerenberg M, Ni S, Järvelin AI, González-Almela E, Lenz CE, BachPages M, Cox V, Avolio R, Davis T, Hester S, Sohier TJM, Li B, Heikel G, Michlewski G, Sanz MA, Carrasco L, Ricci EP, Pelechano V, Davis I, Fischer B, Mohammed S, Castello A.
System-wide Profiling of RNA-Binding Proteins Uncovers Key Regulators of Virus Infection. Mol Cell.
RNA Biology and Method Development
Post-transcriptional Regulation
In the Davis Lab we are fascinated by the role RNA has in so many biological processes. How RNA is regulated after it is transcribed plays a vital role in the control of these processes and we study that regulation. The different types of regulation such as stabilisation, localisation and binding to proteins are all aspects we study in trying to better understand this diverse and complex molecule.
Method Development
We often find that off-the-shelf methods are not sufficient to answer the questions we are addressing. In order to find these answers we often have to develop and tailor methods to our needs. Whether this is in RNA-processing or advanced imaging methods and sample preparation, we always strive to break new ground in scientific research.
Selected Publications
(2020) Thompson MK, Kiourlappou M, Davis I.
Ribo-Pop: simple, cost-effective, and widely applicable ribosomal RNA depletion. RNA.
(2017) Yang CP, Samuels TJ, Huang Y, Yang L, Ish-Horowicz D, Davis I, Lee T.
Imp and Syp RNA-binding proteins govern decommissioning of Drosophila neural stem cells. Development.
(2016) Järvelin AI, Noerenberg M, Davis I, Castello A.
The new (dis)order in RNA regulation. Cell Commun Signal.