The focus of the group is in flaviviruses. This family of viruses is of great medical importance as the prevalence of the mosquito vectors will increase with the global warming. The main virus models used in our study are West Nile and dengue viruses. The primary interest is to understand the assembly of functional infectious virus particles which will continue the infection.

In relation to this, we are also investigating in detail the host proteins that are involved in the assembly process of the virus particles. The host proteins could aid or resist the virus assembly process. Understanding the virus-host protein interactions including the immune responses to infections will provide insights into potential anti-viral target sites, and allow the designing of feasible antiviral strategies against the flaviviruses. Our other interest is on the application of cutting edge imaging technologies to understand the virus infection cycle.

Chu JH, Chiang CCS and Ng ML (2007) Immunization of flavivirus West Nile recombinant envelope domain III protein induced specific immune response and protection against West Nile virus infection. J. Immunol. 178:2699-2705

Chin JFL, Chu JH and Ng ML (2007) The envelope glycoprotein domain III of dengue virus serotypes 1 and 2 inhibit virus entry. Microbes and Infect. 9:1-6 

Ong SP, Choo BGH, Chu JH and Ng ML (2006) Expression of vector‑based small interfering RNA against West Nile virus effectively inhibits virus replication. Antiviral Research. 72:216-223

Lee, JWM, Chu JH and Ng ML (2006) Quantifying the specific binding between West Nile virus envelope domain III protein and the cellular receptor alphaVbeta3 integrin. J. Biological. Chem. 281:1352-1360 

Li J, Raghavan B and Ng ML (2006) The glycosylation site in the envelope protein of West Nile virus (Sarafend) plays an important role in replication and maturation process. J. of Gen.Virol. 87:613-622

Li J, Raghavan B and Ng ML (2005) Identifying the region influencing the cis‑mode of maturation of West Nile (Sarafend) virus using chimera infectious clones Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 334:714-720 

Koh WL and Ng ML (2005) Molecular Mechanisms of West Nile virus pathogenesis in brain cells. Emer. Infect. Dis. 11:629-632

Raghavan B and Ng ML (2005) Analysis of self‑association of West Nile capsid protein and the crucial role played by Trp 69 in homodimerization Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 329:246-255

Chu JH, R Rajamanonmani, Li J, B Raghavan, Lescar J and Ng ML (2005) Inhibition of West Nile virus entry using a recombination domain III from the envelope glycoprotein. J. Gen. Virol. 86:405-412

Chu JH and Ng ML (2004) Interaction of West Nile virus with αVß3 integrin mediates virus entry into cells. J. Biological Chem. 279:54533-54541

Chu JJH and Ng ML (2004), Infectious entry of West Nile virus occurs through a clathrin-mediated endocytotic pathway. J. Virol. 78:10543-10555

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