My project is focused on understanding alphavirus pathogenesis. I am currently investigating determinants within the Ross River virus genome which contribute to virus induced musculoskeletal inflammation and arthritis. In order to study this our lab has identified a Ross River virus isolate which causes no disease in mice, despite replicating to the same titers as the wild type virus. Using a reverse genetics system to create chimeric viruses, I have identified the pE2 glycoprotein region as being critical to the development of musculoskeletal disease in mice.
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