James Weger-Lucarelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
Synopsis:
The Weger-Lucarelli Lab uses a combination of molecular and computational approaches to study the mechanisms underlying virus-host-environment interactions impacting the transmission, disease, and evolution of RNA viruses that produce disease in humans and animals. They are interested in using the information generated in these studies to develop novel antivirals and vaccines to treat or prevent viral disease.
Description:
The Weger-Lucarelli Lab focuses on understanding viral and host determinants that mediate disease severity, transmission, evolution, and protection against RNA viruses. Their research combines molecular, virological, and computational methods to study the interactions between virus, host, and environmental factors that lead to disease and transmission in people and animals. RNA viruses are of significant public health concern due to various factors: climate change, increased global travel and shifting population demographics, and the explosiveness and frequency of outbreaks caused by emerging RNA viruses are dramatically increasing. The current COVID-19 pandemic, causing by a zoonotic RNA virus, highlights the urgent need to understand better how these viruses emerge into human and animal populations. It is essential to understand host and viral determinants that result in outbreaks to develop effective vaccines and antivirals and predict the next emerging viruses.
In order to study this, the Weger-Lucarelli Lab has three primary focuses:
1. To advance the understanding of host factors in RNA virus disease, transmission, and evolution. They specifically focus on obesity, sex, and immunological status.
2. To recognize and study emerging viral threats before they produce massive outbreaks. The lab uses traditional and novel tools to manipulate viral genomes in order to identify mutations that may increase the likelihood of spread or ability to produce disease.
3. To produce innovative vaccines or antivirals to prevent viral disease. Researchers use recombinant live-attenuated viral vaccines to design safe and highly immunogenic vaccines.