Research at the Virology Division of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University focuses on coronaviruses (e.g. MERS-CoV, PEDV, FIPV, and other animal CoVs); picornaviruses (e.g. enteroviruses, EMCV, FMDV), and influenza viruses. Specifically, we aim to unravel the structure, receptors, entry, replication, assembly and release of these viruses at the molecular level. Furthermore, our research aims to better understand viral pathogenesis and virus-host interactions, including the molecular mechanisms used by these viruses to suppress or evade infection-limiting host innate antiviral responses. Our goal is to translate the obtained knowledge into the development of novel therapeutics (antiviral drugs and therapeutic antibodies), prophylactic strategies (vaccines) as well as new diagnostic tools.

PI: Dr. F. van Kuppeveld
Early Stage Researcher: Chiara Aloise