To address the questions concerning basic replication strategy of coronaviruses, we have taken molecular genetic approaches to elucidate the structure and function of the MHV polymerase genes in transcription and replication. We are also using genetic and molecular techniques to study the basic mechanisms of coronavirus RNA recombination and evolution during acute persistent infection in vitro and in vivo . A second goal of our laboratory is to study the molecular mechanisms by which virus-receptor interactions regulate infection and virus cross species transmission in a model system that may reflect conditions present in human xenograph recipients. These studies suggest that human xenograph recipients may function as natural conduits for virus cross species transmission. Recent References Baric, R.S., B. Yount, L. Hensley, S.A. Peel and W. Chen. 1997.
Episodic evolution mediates interspecies transfer of a murine coronavirus.
Chen, W., V.J. Madden, C.R. Bagnell and R.S. Baric. Host derived intracellular immunization against mouse hepatitis virus infection. Chen, W and R.S. Baric. Schaad, M.C. and R.S. Baric.