Overview
Background
Molecular virology.
My group's research interests encompass the molecular biology and immunopathology of medically important viral infections including Ebola. Current studies are focussed on two different viruses; dengue virus, a serious mosquito-borne disease in many tropical countries, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a major cause of hospitalization of children with respiratory infections.
The primary goals of our research are the development of vaccine and anti-viral strategies for the control of infections as well as a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of severe disease.
Current projects in my laboratory include:
- Structural biology based studies on the dengue virus proteins, NS3 (the viral protease) and E (a virion surface protein involved in cell binding and entry) and the RSV protein F (the viral fusion protein) as targets for antiviral drug design
- Sub-unit and DNA based vaccines for the dengue viruses
- Molecular pathogenesis of severe dengue disease (in particular, the consequences of dengue virus infection of host macrophages and the induction of mediators of vascular leak)
- Design and delivery of ribozymes (catalytic RNAs) to the respiratory tract as an antiviral strategy for RSV infections
These projects involve the application of a range of techniques covering a number of disciplines including molecular biology, immunology, biotechnology, molecular cell biology, protein biochemistry and structural biology.
Availability
- Professor Paul Young is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Virology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Works
Search Professor Paul Young’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Enhancement of cellular immunity following needle-free vaccination of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
McMillan, Christopher L. D., Wijesundara, Danushka K., Choo, Jovin J. Y., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Fernando, Germain J. P., Khromykh, Alexander A., Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R. and Muller, David A. (2024). Enhancement of cellular immunity following needle-free vaccination of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Journal of General Virology, 105 (1) ARTN 001947, 1-6. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001947
2023
Journal Article
Superior efficacy of a skin-applied microprojection device for delivering a novel Zika DNA vaccine
Wijesundara, Danushka K., Yeow, Arthur, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Choo, Jovin J. Y., Todorovic, Aleksandra, Mekonnen, Zelalem A., Masavuli, Makutiro G., Young, Paul R., Gowans, Eric J., Grubor-Bauk, Branka and Muller, David A. (2023). Superior efficacy of a skin-applied microprojection device for delivering a novel Zika DNA vaccine. Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids, 34 102056. doi: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102056
2023
Journal Article
The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant
Pegg, Cassandra L., Modhiran, Naphak, Parry, Rhys H., Liang, Benjamin, Amarilla, Alberto A., Khromykh, Alexander A., Burr, Lucy, Young, Paul R., Chappell, Keith, Schulz, Benjamin L. and Watterson, Daniel (2023). The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant. Glycobiology, 34 (2) cwad097, 1-13. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwad097
2023
Journal Article
Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of measles and rubella vaccine delivered with a high-density microarray patch: results from a randomized, partially double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial
Baker, Ben, Bermingham, Imogen M., Leelasena, Indika, Hickling, Julian, Young, Paul R., Muller, David A. and Forster, Angus H. (2023). Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of measles and rubella vaccine delivered with a high-density microarray patch: results from a randomized, partially double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial. Vaccines, 11 (11) 1725, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11111725
2023
Journal Article
Long-term safety and immunogenicity of an MF59-adjuvanted spike glycoprotein-clamp vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in adults aged 18–55 years or ≥56 years: 12-month results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial
Chappell, Keith J., Mordant, Francesca L., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Liang, Benjamin, Li, Zheyi, Wijesundara, Danushka K., Lackenby, Julia A., Griffin, Paul, Bennet, Jillian K., Hensen, Luca, Zhang, Wuji, Nguyen, Thi H.O., Tran, Mai H., Tapley, Peter, Barnes, James, Reading, Patrick C., Kedzierska, Katherine, Ranasinghe, Charani, Subbarao, Kanta, Watterson, Daniel, Young, Paul R. and Munro, Trent P. (2023). Long-term safety and immunogenicity of an MF59-adjuvanted spike glycoprotein-clamp vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in adults aged 18–55 years or ≥56 years: 12-month results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial. eBioMedicine, 97 104842. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104842
2023
Journal Article
Microarray patches: scratching the surface of vaccine delivery
Choo, Jovin J. Y., McMillan, Christopher L. D., Young, Paul R. and Muller, David A. (2023). Microarray patches: scratching the surface of vaccine delivery. Expert Review of Vaccines, 22 (1), 937-955. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2270598
2023
Journal Article
A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants
Modhiran, Naphak, Lauer, Simon Malte, Amarilla, Alberto A., Hewins, Peter, Lopes van den Broek, Sara Irene, Low, Yu Shang, Thakur, Nazia, Liang, Benjamin, Nieto, Guillermo Valenzuela, Jung, James, Paramitha, Devina, Isaacs, Ariel, Sng, Julian D. J., Song, David, Jørgensen, Jesper Tranekjær, Cheuquemilla, Yorka, Bürger, Jörg, Andersen, Ida Vang, Himelreichs, Johanna, Jara, Ronald, MacLoughlin, Ronan, Miranda-Chacon, Zaray, Chana-Cuevas, Pedro, Kramer, Vasko, Spahn, Christian M. T., Mielke, Thorsten, Khromykh, Alexander A., Munro, Trent, Jones, Martina L. ... Watterson, Daniel (2023). A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants. iScience, 26 (7) 107085, 107085. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107085
2023
Journal Article
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”. mBio, 14 (3), e0081523. doi: 10.1128/mbio.00815-23
2023
Journal Article
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”. mSphere, 8 (3), e0016523. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00165-23
2023
Journal Article
Save the microbes to save the planet. A call to action of the International Union of the Microbiological Societies (IUMS)
Rappuoli, Rino, Young, Paul, Ron, Eliora, Pecetta, Simone and Pizza, Mariagrazia (2023). Save the microbes to save the planet. A call to action of the International Union of the Microbiological Societies (IUMS). One Health Outlook, 5 (1) 5, 5. doi: 10.1186/s42522-023-00077-2
2023
Journal Article
Erratum: Geographic patterns of koala retrovirus genetic diversity, endogenization, and subtype distributions (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (2022) 119 (e2122680119) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122680119)
Blyton, Michaela D. J., Young, Paul R., Moore, Ben D. and Chappell, Keith J. (2023). Erratum: Geographic patterns of koala retrovirus genetic diversity, endogenization, and subtype distributions (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (2022) 119 (e2122680119) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122680119). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 120 (1) e2220541120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2220541120
2023
Journal Article
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope-a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope-a Call for Rational Discourse”. Journal of Virology, 97 (5). doi: 10.1128/jvi.00451-23
2023
Journal Article
SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein
Albornoz, Eduardo A., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Parker, Sandra, Li, Xaria X., Wijesundara, Danushka K., Aguado, Julio, Zamora, Adriana Pliego, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Liang, Benjamin, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Saima, Fatema Tuj, Fung, Jenny N., Lee, John D., Paramitha, Devina, Parry, Rhys, Avumegah, Michael S., Isaacs, Ariel, Lo, Martin W., Miranda-Chacon, Zaray, Bradshaw, Daniella, Salinas-Rebolledo, Constanza, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Munro, Trent P., Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro, Young, Paul R., Stacey, Katryn J. ... Woodruff, Trent M. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein. Molecular Psychiatry, 28 (7), 2878-2893. doi: 10.1038/s41380-022-01831-0
2023
Book Chapter
Arbovirus Infections
Young, Paul R. (2023). Arbovirus Infections. Manson's tropical diseases. (pp. 172-201) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-7959-7.00020-8
2022
Journal Article
Diversity and transmission of koala retrovirus: a case study in three captive koala populations
Joyce, Briony A., Blyton, Michaela D. J., Johnston, Stephen D., Meikle, William D., Vinette Herrin, Kimberly, Madden, Claire, Young, Paul R. and Chappell, Keith J. (2022). Diversity and transmission of koala retrovirus: a case study in three captive koala populations. Scientific Reports, 12 (1) 15787, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-18939-6
2022
Journal Article
Characterization and comparison of novel adjuvants for a prefusion clamped MERS vaccine
O’Donnell, Jake S., Isaacs, Ariel, Jakob, Virginie, Lebas, Celia, Barnes, James B., Reading, Patrick C., Young, Paul R., Watterson, Daniel, Dubois, Patrice M., Collin, Nicolas and Chappell, Keith J. (2022). Characterization and comparison of novel adjuvants for a prefusion clamped MERS vaccine. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 976968, 976968. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.976968
2022
Journal Article
A platform technology for generating subunit vaccines against diverse viral pathogens
Young, Andrew, Isaacs, Ariel, Scott, Connor A. P., Modhiran, Naphak, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Cheung, Stacey T. M., Barr, Jennifer, Marsh, Glenn, Thakur, Nazia, Bailey, Dalan, Li, Kenneth S. M., Luk, Hayes K. H., Kok, Kin-Hang, Lau, Susanna K. P., Woo, Patrick C. Y., Furuyama, Wakako, Marzi, Andrea, Young, Paul R., Chappell, Keith J. and Watterson, Daniel (2022). A platform technology for generating subunit vaccines against diverse viral pathogens. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 963023, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.963023
2022
Journal Article
Skin-patch delivered subunit vaccine induces broadly neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
McMillan, Christopher L.D., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Choo, Jovin J.Y., Azuar, Armira, Honeyman, Kate E., Khromykh, Alexander A., Young, Paul R., Watterson, Daniel and Muller, David A. (2022). Skin-patch delivered subunit vaccine induces broadly neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Vaccine, 40 (34), 4929-4932. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.013
2022
Journal Article
Geographic patterns of koala retrovirus genetic diversity, endogenization, and subtype distributions
Blyton, Michaela D. J., Young, Paul R., Moore, Ben D. and Chappell, Keith J. (2022). Geographic patterns of koala retrovirus genetic diversity, endogenization, and subtype distributions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (33) e2122680119, 1-11. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2122680119
2022
Journal Article
Nucleocapsid specific diagnostics for the detection of divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants
Isaacs, Ariel, Amarilla, Alberto A., Aguado, Julio, Modhiran, Naphak, Albornoz, Eduardo A., Baradar, Alireza A., McMillan, Christopher L. D., Choo, Jovin J. Y., Idris, Adi, Supramaniam, Aroon, McMillan, Nigel A. J., Muller, David A., Young, Paul R., Woodruff, Trent M., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Chappell, Keith J. and Watterson, Daniel (2022). Nucleocapsid specific diagnostics for the detection of divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 926262, 926262. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926262
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Paul Young is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Yellow Fever Virus Structure and Antigenicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jody Peters, Dr Naphak Modhiran, Professor Daniel Watterson
Completed supervision
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The Filovirus glycoprotein as applied to rational vaccine design and diagnostics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell, Professor Daniel Watterson
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the antigenic and immunostimulatory nature of dengue virus non-structural protein 1
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kate Stacey, Professor Daniel Watterson
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Epitope-focused vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell, Professor Daniel Watterson, Professor Istvan Toth, Associate Professor Mariusz Skwarczynski
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and functional studies of the respiratory syncytial virus F protein
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell, Professor Daniel Watterson
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Dengue virus NS2B-NS3protease as a target for inhibitor-drugs
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Dengue NS1 protein and its implication in dengue pathogenesis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Watterson, Professor Kate Stacey
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Viral/bacterial respiratory tract co-infections in children
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Phil Hugenholtz, Professor Keith Chappell
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Stalking the West Nile Virus NS2B/NS3 protease as a target for infection control and as a key player in virus factories
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Khromykh, Professor David Fairlie
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Examining the role of dengue E glycoprotein domain III in cell receptor binding and viral fusion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Ribozymes as Antivirals for Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Nissen
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Dengue virus non-structural protein NS1: Structure, intracellular trafficking and role as a diagnostic marker
Principal Advisor
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms of fusion and cell entry mediated by dengue virus prM and E proteins
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
STRUCTURE BASED DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGS TARGETING THE DENGUE VIRUS FUSION MECHANISM
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bostjan Kobe
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF THE WEST NILE VIRUS PROTEASE NS3 AND ITS COFACTOR NS2B
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
CHARACTERISATION OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF KOALA RETROVIRUS (KoRV)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Meers
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF DENGUE VIRUS PATHOGENESIS
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE ANALYSIS OF THE FUSION ACTIVITY OF DENGUE VIRUS GLYCOPROTEINS prM AND E
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Yellow Fever Virus Structure and Antigenicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jody Peters, Dr Naphak Modhiran, Professor Daniel Watterson
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Structure-guided vaccine and therapeutic design for emerging viruses
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell, Professor Daniel Watterson
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the koala retrovirus epidemic: genetic diversity, transmission and immunogenicity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steve Johnston, Professor Keith Chappell
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Next Generation Dengue Virus Vaccines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Jody Peters, Associate Professor David Muller
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Broad-Spectrum Vaccines & Therapeutics for Henipaviruses
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Keith Chappell, Professor Daniel Watterson
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Rational design of a recombinant subunit influenza vaccine
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Daniel Watterson, Professor Keith Chappell
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Structural characterisation of glycosylation of paramyxovirus attachment and fusion proteins by mass spectrometry
Associate Advisor
-
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Short Helix-Constrained Peptides As RSV Fusion Inhibitors And Vaccine Candidates
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Pathogenesis and epidemiology of koala retrovirus
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Joanne Meers
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis and Evaluation of Influenza Virosome Gene Delivery and LCP-Based Hookworm Vaccine Delivery Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Istvan Toth
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Constraining short B cell epitopes as alpha helices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Fairlie
-
2006
Doctor Philosophy
RECEPTOR SIGNALLING AND INTERNALISATION OF PAPILLOMAVIRUSES
Associate Advisor
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
SEQUENCE ANALYSIS AND VARIABILITY STUDY OF LETTUCE NECROTIC YELLOWS VIRUS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ralf Dietzgen
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
ANTIGENIC AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE DENGUE VIRUS GLYCOPROTEIN, NS1
Associate Advisor
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