Annika Rammelt

Shared Phd Student between Topf lab at CSSB and Rosenthal lab at BNITM
Master in Molecular Biosciences - Infectious Diseases at Heidelberg University
Master thesis in the group of Ralf Bartenschlager on ultrastructural characterisation of replication organelles of Flaviviruses in insect cells
Bachelor in Molecular Medicine, Ulm University
Bachelor in Social Sciences in Berlin, Humboldt University

Aiming to elucidate the exact mechanism of RNA synthesis inhibition of Lassa virus, the project focusses on structural characterisation of the L (polymerase) -Z (matrix protein) interaction in the presence of viral RNA and during RNA synthesis using single particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Biochemical and biophysical in vitro assays as well as cell-based assays are used for validation. Furthermore, we hypothesise that the Z-mediated inhibition of L presents a promising opportunity for rational drug design. Hence, we aim to clarify the mechanism of Z-based polymerase inhibition for Lassa virus and evaluate its potential as an antiviral strategy supported by in silico peptide design and docking experiments.