This $440,344 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (CFDA 93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) supports research at the University of Washington to identify the viral RNA species and molecular features that activate the innate immune response during flavivirus infections, such as West Nile virus. The project aims to pinpoint the intracellular locations where viral RNA interacts with RIG-I-like receptors to initiate this immune response. Key research activities include sorting infected cell populations based on immune activation status, sequencing viral RNA bound to RIG-I, and using advanced microscopy techniques to visualize viral RNA-receptor interactions within viral replication compartments. This work is expected to provide conceptual advances in understanding RIG-I-mediated signaling during flavivirus infection and will also train the principal investigator in cutting-edge techniques like individual nucleotide resolution cross-linked immunoprecipitation and cryo-electron tomography.
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