Postdoctoral Research Initiatives

The NS1 Protein

Robert Krug, PhD - Section of Molecular Genetics, Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Texas at Austin
Andrew Ellington, PhD - Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
Eric Anslyn, PhD - Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
Gaetano Montelione, PhD - Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Rutgers University

The coming influenza pandemic is clearly a medical problem that will require innovative interventions. The NS1 protein of influenza virus participates in the polymerase complex, contacts influenza RNA, and evolves much less rapidly than surface antigens. The Anslyn, Ellington, and Krug labs will collaborate to carry out high-throughput screens for organic compounds that can bind to NS1 and disrupt its interactions with viral RNA. As a starting point, we are working with Jon Robertus and the virtual screening capabilities of the TI-3D to identify small molecule leads. These leads and privileged scaffolds will be elaborated into small libraries by Anslyn and co-workers, and a fluorescence polarization assay will be enabled by Ellington and co-workers in the high-throughput screening facility of the TI-3D. Compounds that bind tightly to NS1 will be assayed by the Krug lab for their ability to inhibit viral infection.

Andrew Ellington Wilson M. and Kathryn Fraser Research Professor In Biochemistry, PHD Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of Texas at Austin Ellington Lab

Eric Anslyn Norman Hackerman Professor in Chemistry And Distinguished Teaching Professor, PH Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of Texas at Austin Anslyn lab

Robert M. Krug Professor Molecular Genetics and Microbiology The University of Texas at Austin Krug Lab

Medical School Collaborator: Gaetano Montellione Department of Molecular Biology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Montellione Lab