About us
The Molecular Microbiology Laboratory is part of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) and located in state-of-the-art facilities.
Research in this multi-disciplined group encompasses molecular virology, antiviral drug discovery, viral discovery and paleovirology. In particular we track and study the evolution of pandemic norovirus strains across the globe, which are responsible for around 500 million cases of acute gastroenteritis and around 218,000 deaths each year.
The group is also actively involved in the development of antiviral compounds for norovirus, hepatitis C virus, Zika virus and a range of other viruses. Using modern molecular techniques and bioinformatics, the group also undertakes viral discovery in a range of vertebrates including bats, ancient fish and marsupials. In addition, the group also studies endogenous viral elements in vertebrates to trace viral evolution and investigate cellular function of these exapted sequences.