Quantification of influenza virus mini viral RNAs using Cas13.

Influenza A virus (IAV) RNA synthesis produces full-length and deletion-containing RNA molecules, which include defective viral genomes (DVG) and mini viral RNAs (mvRNA). Sequencing approaches have shown that DVG and mvRNA species may be present during infection, and that they can vary in size, segment origin, and sequence. Moreover, a subset of aberrant RNA molecules can bind and activate host-pathogen receptor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), leading to innate immune signaling and the expression of type I and III interferons.

Quantification of influenza virus mini viral RNA dynamics using Cas13.

Influenza A virus RNA synthesis produces full-length and aberrant RNA molecules, which include defective viral genomes (DVG) and mini viral RNAs (mvRNA). Sequencing approaches have shown that aberrant RNA species may be present during infection, and that they can vary in size, segment origin, and sequence. Moreover, a subset of aberrant RNA molecules can bind and activate host pathogen receptor retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I), leading to innate immune signaling and the expression of type I and III interferons.

Multiplexed CRISPR-based Methods for Pathogen Nucleic Acid Detection.

Bacterial and viral pathogens are devastating to human health and well-being. In many regions, dozens of pathogen species and variants co-circulate. Thus, it is important to detect many different species and variants of pathogens in a given sample through multiplexed detection methods.

Selective inhibition of protein secretion by abrogating receptor-coat interactions during ER export.

Protein secretion is an essential process that drives cell growth, movement, and communication. Protein traffic within the secretory pathway occurs via transport intermediates that bud from one compartment and fuse with a downstream compartment to deliver their contents. Here, we explore the possibility that protein secretion can be selectively inhibited by perturbing protein-protein interactions that drive capture into transport vesicles.

Export Control: Post-transcriptional Regulation of the COPII Trafficking Pathway.

The coat protein complex II (COPII) mediates forward trafficking of protein and lipid cargoes from the endoplasmic reticulum. COPII is an ancient and essential pathway in all eukaryotes and COPII dysfunction underlies a range of human diseases. Despite this broad significance, major aspects of COPII trafficking remain incompletely understood.