RSV is an important virus that infects almost all children. Despite several decades of effort, there is no vaccine or RSV specific therapy available to treat RSV. This project intends to study the structure of the RSV virus and its interaction with the host cell. Study of the virus surface structure is important in designing drugs and therapies which can either inhibit virus growth or prevent viral entry into the host cell. Use of AFM and other nanotechniques has made it possible to study many viruses and microorganisms. This project will study cellular and viral interactions using tissue culture techniques followed by AFM studies of surface structures at various stages of virus growth. Particular attention will be paid to early changes, as we know that viral proteins are expressed in the first two hours of infection, facilitating attachment and entry of viral contents into the host cell. Viral infection will be manipulated using nanoparticles (silver, gold, quantum dots) which can bind to the host cell surface eventually inhibiting viral attachment and entry.

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