Dr Alex Borodavka
- Department of Biochemistry
- Molecular mechanisms underpinning RNA-controlled self-assembly of multi-segmented viral genomes.
- Viral genome packaging, virus assembly, biomolecular condensates, RNA dynamics and RNA chaperones, rotaviruses.
Contact
Connect
Location
- Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, RNA Labs, 8 Tennis Court Road
Research
Our long-term goal is to uncover the assembly and replication mechanisms of multi-segmented RNA viruses, including rotaviruses, with sufficient detail to identify novel anti-viral targets and improve existing vaccines. To achieve this, I use a spectrum of techniques, ranging from single-molecule fluorescence, super-resolution imaging to high-throughput RNA structure probing tools. We use single-molecule assays for investigating inter-segment RNA-RNA interactions in rotaviruses and identifying the key RNA-binding proteins mediating these interactions. Our recent discoveries have raised a number of new questions about the mechanisms of multi-segmented virus genome assembly, which I will be pursuing as a new Research Fellow in Cambridge.
Key Projects, Countries, and Partners
Germany, Munich: LMU (Don Lamb) and MPI (Ralf Jungmann)
USA, Chapel Hill, UNC (Alain Laederach)
USA, Wake Forest University (Sarah McDonald)
Cambridge, UK: Tuomas Knowles