Virology

Dr. Sheehan specializes in personalized structural biology, with a special focus on the molecular basis of disease mechanisms.

Dr. Shen studies the structural mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions with an emphasis on the signaling involving NOD-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors. The ultimate goal is to provide the molecular basis for the development of therapeutics targeting various infectious diseases.

Dr. Thackray specializes in basic research on RNA viruses with a specific focus on the role of the microbiome in host immunity and pathogenic outcome following systemic virus infection. She also uses model systems to characterize therapeutics and vaccines against emerging pandemic viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.