Jesse D. Bloom, Ph.D.

Research

The goal of my research is to better understand and predict how viruses such as influenza evolve. In order to do this, we need to understand how mutations affect the virus's ability to replicate and spread, and how the immune system targets viruses in living animals. To address, these issues, my lab is generating pools of flu viruses that contain genetically engineered mutations at every possible position in key viral proteins in order to determine which of the mutations are compatible with viral replication, and which are specifically targeted by the immune system. I have already developed methods to generate the mutant virus pools, and am developing software that will allow me and other researchers to analyze the data that will flow from such studies. These findings will enhance our understanding of viral immunity, offer clues on how to create new influenza therapies and could provide a basis for predicting which influenza strains will evolve in the future-- a key factor in designing an effective seasonal vaccine.