“Cellular and molecular basis of virus-induced inflammation”
Our lab investigates the structures and molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between RNA viruses and the host innate immune system. Viruses possess a remarkable ability to hijack cellular machinery, rapidly replicate and, within hours, infect other cells. Our innate immune system deploys various defense mechanisms against these intruders, including the formation of the inflammasome – a complex of proteins which plays a key role in secreting inflammatory cytokines. Tight control of inflammasome assembly is crucial for its protective function, as dysregulated inflammatory response will exacerbate virus pathogenesis. Our lab is interested in understanding how the inflammasomes detect viruses and how they assemble and disassemble within the virus-infected cell. To achieve this, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating cell biology and biochemistry assays, advanced microscopy techniques such as in vitro cryo-electron microscopy and in situ cryo-electron tomography to visualize inflammasome-virus interactions directly within the cell, and single-molecule microscopies to study the dynamic of its assembly.