Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Evžen Bouřa

Viruses are small organisms that are not even considered alive by many, and are only able to procreate within a host cell. In order to do so, they must "hijack" the biochemical apparatus of the host cell and remodel it to serve viral replication. For instance, picornaviruses use their small non-structural protein 3A to hijack the lipid kinase PI4KB and remodel Golgi or ER membrane into viral replication platform.

Structural biology (X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering and protein NMR) and various biophysical techniques (fluorescence, liposome reconstitution, analytical ultracentrifugation) in combination with confocal microscopy will be used to gain deep understanding of viral replication on the surface of host membranes and to reconstitute replication of selected viruses in vitro. (http://www.uochb.cz/infochem/boura)