Dr Valeria Lulla
- Group leader, Sir Henry Dale Fellow
- Division of Virology
Contact
About
Our research focuses on the replication and pathogenicity of intestinal RNA viruses. Many common enteric viruses can also infect cells of the central nervous system, causing encephalitis, meningitis, and other complications. Picornaviruses and astroviruses stand out for their ability to infect cells of both gut and neuronal origins. We are using human intestinal and brain organoids as a platform to address organ-specific determinants of enteric virus infection and neuron infection model to dissect CNS-specific infections. We are developing a range of molecular tools to answer burning questions in enteric virus biology:
- Elucidate host-pathogen interactions to uncover the molecular processes underlying different stages of infection, supported by defining the cell-type specificity of virus infection in both intestinal and neuronal cells.
- Identify tissue-specific regulation of viral protein synthesis and specialised CNS host responses.
- Uncover the roles of viral RNA structures in virus replication and neurovirulence.
Investigating these mechanisms in two diverse virus families will reveal common and virus-specific principles in host-pathogen interactions along the gut-to-brain axis. These findings will enhance our understanding of tissue-specific properties of clinically important pathogens, advancing the development of therapeutics and vaccines, and informing public health measures.
Summer students - apply here: https://www.exppg.lifesci.cam.ac.uk/
MPhil students - apply here: https://www.mphil.bio.cam.ac.uk/
Postdocs - happy to support fellowship-based projects:
https://www.embo.org/funding/fellowships-grants-and-career-support/postdoctoral-fellowships/
https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships
https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/newton-international/
Funding for our research comes from the Royal Society and Wellcome Trust: Sir Henry Dale Fellowship (2021-2026) + Wellcome Career Development Award (2026-2034).
Research
Our group focuses on the replication and pathogenicity of intestinal RNA viruses using enteroviruses and astroviruses as model systems. Both virus groups include zoonotic pathogens, and both include members that can escape the gut to infect the central nervous system. We are developing a range of molecular tools to address fundamental issues in enterovirus and astrovirus biology:
- Regulation of translation, replication and virus release
- Features of virus replication in the gut- and brain-specific environment
- Conserved RNA elements, their functions and therapeutic potential
- Determinants of neurovirulence
Funding for our research comes from the MRC, the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust.
Group members:
Dr David Noyvert (PhD student 2022-2026, now Postdoctoral research associate)
Dr Jacqueline Hankinson (Postdoctoral research associate)
Ksenia Fominykh (Research assistant)
Adam Rayment (PhD student, joint with Pirbright Institute)
Past lab members:
Dr Rhian O'Connor (PhD student, now postdoc at ICL), Dr Hashim Ali (2021-2023, postdoc, now at UCL), Gemma Lindsey (part II student), Samantha Cheng (EPLS Summer student), Morgan Reid (EPLS Summer student), and Imran Darr (part II student).