Interests: building gene delivery vectors by packaging recombinant viral RNAs in stable capsids

Research Interest: I'm studying the process of viral RNA encapsidation. How does the size of the RNA affects its encapsidation? How does the RNA size affects the capsid size?

http://laconcienciademorris.blogspot.com/

Office: 3107 C Young Hall | Phone: (310) 206-2330
Lab : 2110 Young Hall | Phone: (310) 825-7193

Professor of Plant Pathology & Plant Pathologist Department of Plant Pathology, University of California Riverside, CA 92521 Phone: 951-827-3810 Webpage: http://www.plantpathology.ucr.edu/new/index.php?page=faculty&i=15&p=1

UC MEXUS Postdoctoral Scholar, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Office: 3107 A Young Hall | Phone: (310) 206-2330
Lab : 2110 Young Hall | Phone: (310) 825-7193

Send Email

M. A. Valdes-Covarrubias, R. D. Cadena-Nava, E. V

Office: 4016 Geology
Mail: UCLA-Chemistry, 607 Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569.
Phone: 310-20[6-0292]
Send Email

Research Interest: I am interested in the self-assembly of virus capsid proteins around nanoemulsions.

We know from our studies with lambda phage that viral capsids can support internal pressures of 50 - 60 atm. The interactions between the proteins that make up the capsid are held together by hydrophobic and electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonds. How can structures that are joined by relatively weak bonds be so strong? Just how strong are viral capsids?