Faculty

Rene Rijnbrand, Ph.D.

Adjunct Assistant Professor
rijnbrand@immusol.com
Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Assocaite Director, Virology
Immusol
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: (858)824-1100 x 165
Fax: (858)824-1112

Education:	Ph.D. | 1996 | Institute of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University
	M.Sc. | 1991 | University of Utrecht, the Netherlands

Overview

Structure and function of the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry segment.

Research Interests

Our laboratory is interested in the biology of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Currently approximately 2% of the world population is persistently infected with HCV. My interest is the function and structure of the HCV internal ribosome entry segment (IRES). This segment of the viral genome that drives translation of the viral proteins, is one of the key elements in the viral life cycle. For most eukaryotic mRNAs the 40S ribosomal subunits bind to the 5’ end of the RNA before they scan to the protein translation initiate site. However, IRES elements direct ribosomes directly to the point of protein initiation.

We study the IRES elements of HCV and the related pesti- and GB-B viruses to obtain information as to the structure and function of these important regulatory elements. We use a range of site directed mutagenesis techniques and in vitro and in vivo translation systems to evaluate the function of specific nucleotide sequences in IRES mediated translation. We are collaborating with the UTMB NMR center to gain information for the structure of RNA hairpins. This will allow us to develop a detailed 3D-structure model of the HCV IRES.

Our ultimate aim is the development of antiviral drugs directed against the HCV IRES.

Recent Publications

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