Kenny gets an R21 to study Sarbecovirus receptor interactions

The Matreyek lab is awarded a 2-year R21 grant to study how various Sarbecovirus (ie. SARS-like coronavirus) receptor binding domain sequences correspond to binding and infection with various ACE2 receptor sequences (eg. variants of human ACE2, or sequences of diverse ACE2 orthologs across mammals) to find the rules governing molecular compatibilities between these viruses and their potential hosts. More information here.

First paper from the lab published!

The first paper from our lab is now out in PLOS Pathogens! We created a panel of ACE2 variant cells and found that (pseudo)viruses with SARS-CoV spike, or the WT or N501Y SARS-CoV-2 spikes, differentially use the ACE2 protein surface during entry. This was a team effort, with Nidhi and Sarah on pseudotyped virus assays and molecular cloning, with Anna and Vini performing the BSL3 SARS-CoV-2 work. Great job, everyone!

The lab is awarded an ESI R35 from NIGMS!

Our application, titled “Recombinant DNA Technologies for Multiplex Genetic Assays in Human Cells” was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute for General Medical Sciences. This five year, $250,000 direct cost per year grant will support our continued efforts pairing landing pad -based cell engineering with multiplex assays to unlock new aspects of protein and cell biology, as well as improving our understanding of human genetics. Goals include creating generalizable, multiplex methods for functional complementation, fluorescent transcriptional reporters, & large-scale cDNA screening. Thank you NIH NIGMS for supporting us with this wonderful funding mechanism!