Asit K. Pattnaik, Ph.D.

Professor

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Studies in the Pattnaik Laboratory focus on the molecular biology of replication, host cell responses, and immunopathogenesis of human and animal RNA viruses. The laboratory is also involved in studies towards the development of vaccines and antivirals against viral pathogens.

Using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a model non-segmented negative-strand RNA virus, we have developed the reverse genetics system that allows us to manipulate the viral genome to: 1) examine the role of sequences within the viral genome that regulate transcription and replication processes 2) understand structure-function relationships of the viral proteins involved in genome replication, transcription, and virus assembly 3) generate and characterize recombinant viruses encoding heterologous viral proteins for vaccine development 4) understand the role of host cell functions in viral genome replication and pathogenic outcomes

With the use of an infectious cDNA clone of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) developed in our laboratory, we address questions related to the replication and pathogenesis of this economically important swine pathogen. These studies along with other ongoing studies in our laboratory position us to generate second-generation differential PRRSV vaccines by reverse genetic methods.

Following the emergence of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in the recent past, our research focus has been on understanding the immunopathogenic mechanisms of this virus. Using an infectious cDNA clone of the virus developed in our laboratory, we study the determinants of ZIKV neuroinvasion and virulence, the role of host cell signaling, and metabolic pathways that regulate the virus replication. Additionally, current attempts aim to develop antivirals and vaccine candidates for ZIKV using several different approaches.

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