FEATURED SCIENTIST


Anice Lowen, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine

The underlying mechanisms governing two processes critical to the evolution and epidemiology of influenza viruses: inter-host transmission and the reassortment of gene segments.
Despite its clear importance to the epidemiology of influenza, the process by which human influenza viruses travel from one individual to another is not well understood. The lack of transmission of H5N1 influenza viruses among humans and other mammals has shown that, contrary to expectation, viral growth is not the only prerequisite for transmission. Research over the past six years has revealed that viral, host and environmental factors each play a role in determining the efficiency with which an influenza virus transmits. We previously showed, for example, that humidity and temperature have a strong impact on the efficiency of transmission, that host-specific adaptive changes in the viral polymerase can alter transmission efficiency, and that host immunity resulting from vaccination or natural infection limits transmission to varying degrees. Despite such progress, an in-depth understanding of transmission remains a high priority in the influenza field. Going forward, my research will focus on the viral traits which allow transmission to proceed in guinea pigs, a mammalian model system which we have demonstrated to reflect humans well in terms of influenza virus transmissibility. Reassortment is the process by which influenza viruses, which carry RNA genomes comprising eight segments, exchange genetic material. Reassortment of the genome segments of two differing influenza strains has the potential to vastly increase the diversity of circulating influenza viruses. Despite its importance to influenza virus evolution, the frequency with which reassortment occurs in an animal infected with two or more variant viruses is unclear. I therefore propose to assess the incidence of reassortment in experimentally infected guinea pigs. By studying the process under well-controlled conditions, I aim to identify factors which dictate how readily reassortment can occur. For example, the roles of pre-existing immunity to one subtype, sequential rather than coincident infection, genetic compatibility between differing viruses, and the likelihood of two distinct strains to infect the same cell type will be studied.

WELCOME

Message from the Director
David Steinhauer, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Program in (MMG) Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Thank you for visiting our web site; a clear indication that you have developed an interest in microbiology and want to learn more about obtaining a Ph.D. in this area of science. What can our graduate program offer you? What is unique about our program that distinguishes itself from other graduate programs both here at Emory and elsewhere? These are questions that I hope you are asking. First, we offer you the opportunity to develop into a scientist by learning the "language" of microbiology, develop the ability to critically read and critique the literature, and learn how "to do science". Neither this nor any other graduate program will result in your being a "finished product" when you earn your Ph.D. This takes time. It is our goal that our graduate students leave here not only with their doctorate, but also with a commitment to being a lifetime learner. By examining the research interests of the faculty you will notice that we are a diverse group of microbiologists. This is not surprising because microbiology has many sub-disciplines. Is there a common theme among our faculty? The short answer is that regardless of whether a group studies bacteria or viruses, we are all interested in what makes microbes "tick". We humans are in constant contact with microbes in our environment and a major effort or common theme for us is to understand the dynamics of this interaction with a concentration on the microbial side of the equation. I strongly urge you to do your "homework" in evaluating your opportunities for graduate study in our MMG program. Read papers published by the faculty. Even if you find it difficult to understand the details of the experimental design or results obtained, a cursory reading of the Introduction and Discussion sections of a manuscript often will give you a good idea regarding the work done in a laboratory. I also find it helpful for prospective students to contact faculty in order to learn more about our program so please feel free to e-mail me (dsteinh@emory.edu) and other members of our faculty. We look forward to hearing from you!

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