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Professor Alexander Khromykh
Professor

Alexander Khromykh

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 67219

Overview

Background

Alexander Khromykh has PhD degree in Molecular Virology. He worked as Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa in Canada. He then joined Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre in Brisbane and became a laboratory Head in 2001. He moved his laboratory to St Luica campus in 2005 to take an appointment with the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB). He was the founding Director of the SCMB’s Centre for Infectious Disease Research and is currently the Deputy Director of the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre. He is also the Director of Centre of Excellence and a member of COVID-19 and Zika virus Task Forces in the Global Virus Network.

Availability

Professor Alexander Khromykh is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Tomsk State University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The Institute for Molecular Virology

Research interests

  • Molecular pathogenesis of RNA viruses

    Viruses of main interest include West Nile virus, Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2 virus. A particular strength is in the developing infectious clones and replicons and utilising them to study virus replication, to identify viral determinants of pathogenicity and to develop vaccines and antivirals.

  • Evasion of host antiviral response by pathogenic RNA viruses

    We apply advanced molecular methodologies including screening with viral RNAi libraries to identify new host antiviral genes and to dissect mechanisms employed by pathogenic RNA viruses to evade antiviral responses.

  • The role of viral and host noncoding RNAs in virus-host interaction

    We study biogenesis of novel viral noncoding RNAs and elucidate mechanisms by which both, viral and host noncoding RNAs shape the outcomes of infection with pathogenic RNA viruses.

Research impacts

The main areas of research of the group are molecular virology, viral pathogenesis, and virus-host interactions. The viruses studied in the group are pathogenic RNA viruses, viruses such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and SARS-CoV-2 virus. The goal of the research is to determine the mechanisms by which these viruses cause disease in the hosts and to identify viral and host factors determining the outcome of infection. The group uses a range of classical and more modern approaches including molecular manipulations with viral infectious cDNA clones and replicons, transient and stable expression of viral proteins and noncoding RNAs, viral replication and virulence assays, deep mutational scanning, mass spectrometry, next generation sequencing, siRNA knockdowns, and knockout cells and mice. Together, these approaches allow the group to perform detailed analysis of the effects of changes in the viral and host genomes that are likely to have a profound impact on virus replication and pathogenesis. The obtained knowldge is also applied to develop novel vaccine platforms and test antivirals.

Works

Search Professor Alexander Khromykh’s works on UQ eSpace

211 works between 1990 and 2024

1 - 20 of 211 works

2024

Journal Article

The flavivirus Non-Structural Protein 5 (NS5): structure, functions, and targeting for development of vaccines and therapeutics

Goh, Jarvis Z. H., De Hayr, Lachlan, Khromykh, Alexander A. and Slonchak, Andrii (2024). The flavivirus Non-Structural Protein 5 (NS5): structure, functions, and targeting for development of vaccines and therapeutics. Vaccines, 12 (8) 865. doi: 10.3390/vaccines12080865

The flavivirus Non-Structural Protein 5 (NS5): structure, functions, and targeting for development of vaccines and therapeutics

2024

Journal Article

Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2

Shaker, Mohammed R., Slonchak, Andrii, Al-Mhanawi, Bahaa, Morrison, Sean D., Sng, Julian D.J., Cooper-White, Justin, Khromykh, Alexander A. and Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2024). Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2. Science Advances, 10 (23) eadj4735, 1-23. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4735

Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2

2024

Journal Article

Xinyang flavivirus, from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Henan Province, China, defines a basal, likely tick-only Orthoflavivirus clade

Wang, Lan-Lan, Cheng, Qia, Newton, Natalee D., Wolfinger, Michael T., Morgan, Mahali S., Slonchak, Andrii, Khromykh, Alexander A., Cheng, Tian-Yin and Parry, Rhys H. (2024). Xinyang flavivirus, from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Henan Province, China, defines a basal, likely tick-only Orthoflavivirus clade. Journal of General Virology, 105 (5) ARTN 001991. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001991

Xinyang flavivirus, from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Henan Province, China, defines a basal, likely tick-only Orthoflavivirus clade

2024

Journal Article

Residue K28 of Zika Virus NS5 Protein Is Implicated in Virus Replication and Antagonism of STAT2

Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Setoh, Yin Xiang and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2024). Residue K28 of Zika Virus NS5 Protein Is Implicated in Virus Replication and Antagonism of STAT2. Microorganisms, 12 (4) 660, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12040660

Residue K28 of Zika Virus NS5 Protein Is Implicated in Virus Replication and Antagonism of STAT2

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

Enhancement of cellular immunity following needle-free vaccination of mice with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

2023

Journal Article

A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK

Parry, Rhys H., Slonchak, Andrii, Campbell, Lewis J., Newton, Natalee D., Debat, Humberto J., Gifford, Robert J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2023). A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK. Journal of General Virology, 104 (12) 001927, 1-12. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001927

A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK

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

The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant

2023

Journal Article

SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids

Stewart, Romal, Yan, Kexin, Ellis, Sevannah A., Bishop, Cameron R., Dumenil, Troy, Tang, Bing, Nguyen, Wilson, Larcher, Thibaut, Parry, Rhys, Sng, Julian De Jun, Khromykh, Alexander A., Sullivan, Robert K. P., Lor, Mary, Meunier, Frédéric A., Rawle, Daniel J. and Suhrbier, Andreas (2023). SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14 1320856, 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1320856

SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids

2023

Journal Article

Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology

Aguado, Julio, Amarilla, Alberto A., Taherian Fard, Atefeh, Albornoz, Eduardo A., Tyshkovskiy, Alexander, Schwabenland, Marius, Chaggar, Harman K., Modhiran, Naphak, Gómez-Inclán, Cecilia, Javed, Ibrahim, Baradar, Alireza A., Liang, Benjamin, Peng, Lianli, Dharmaratne, Malindrie, Pietrogrande, Giovanni, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Freney, Morgan E., Parry, Rhys, Sng, Julian D. J., Isaacs, Ariel, Khromykh, Alexander A., Valenzuela Nieto, Guillermo, Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro, Davis, Thomas P., Prinz, Marco, Bengsch, Bertram, Gladyshev, Vadim N., Woodruff, Trent M., Mar, Jessica C. ... Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2023). Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology. Nature Aging, 3 (12), 1561-1575. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00519-6

Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology

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

A nanobody recognizes a unique conserved epitope and potently neutralizes against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants

2023

Journal Article

Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2

Shaker, Mohammed R., Slonchak, Andrii, Al-mhanawi, Bahaa, Morrison, Sean D., Sng, Julian D. J., Cooper-White, Justin, Khromykh, Alexander A. and Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2023). Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2. bioRxiv, 10 (23) eadj4735, eadj4735. doi: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544552

Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2

2023

Journal Article

Noncoding RNA of Zika virus affects interplay between Wnt-signaling and pro-apoptotic pathways in the developing brain tissue

Slonchak, Andrii, Chaggar, Harman, Aguado, Julio, Wolvetang, Ernst and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2023). Noncoding RNA of Zika virus affects interplay between Wnt-signaling and pro-apoptotic pathways in the developing brain tissue. Viruses, 15 (5) 1062, 1062. doi: 10.3390/v15051062

Noncoding RNA of Zika virus affects interplay between Wnt-signaling and pro-apoptotic pathways in the developing brain tissue

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

Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”

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), e0045123. doi: 10.1128/jvi.00451-23

Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”

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

Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”

2023

Journal Article

Inactivation of SARS‐CoV ‐2 infectivity in platelet concentrates or plasma following treatment with ultraviolet C light or with methylene blue combined with visible light

Hobson‐Peters, Jody, Amarilla, Alberto A., Rustanti, Lina, Marks, Denese C., Roulis, Eileen, Khromykh, Alexander A., Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel, Reichenberg, Stefan, Tolksdorf, Frank, Sumian, Chryslain, Seltsam, Axel, Gravemann, Ute and Faddy, Helen M. (2023). Inactivation of SARS‐CoV ‐2 infectivity in platelet concentrates or plasma following treatment with ultraviolet C light or with methylene blue combined with visible light. Transfusion, 63 (2), 288-293. doi: 10.1111/trf.17238

Inactivation of SARS‐CoV ‐2 infectivity in platelet concentrates or plasma following treatment with ultraviolet C light or with methylene blue combined with visible light

2023

Journal Article

GPR183 antagonism reduces macrophage infiltration in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Foo, Cheng Xiang, Bartlett, Stacey, Chew, Keng Yih, Ngo, Minh Dao, Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Helle, Jayakody Arachchige, Buddhika, Matthews, Benjamin, Reed, Sarah, Wang, Ran, Smith, Christian, Sweet, Matthew J., Burr, Lucy, Bisht, Kavita, Shatunova, Svetlana, Sinclair, Jane E., Parry, Rhys, Yang, Yuanhao, Lévesque, Jean-Pierre, Khromykh, Alexander, Rosenkilde, Mette Marie, Short, Kirsty R. and Ronacher, Katharina (2023). GPR183 antagonism reduces macrophage infiltration in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection. European Respiratory Journal, 61 (3) 2201306, 1-15. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01306-2022

GPR183 antagonism reduces macrophage infiltration in influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection

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

SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein

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

Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope-a Call for Rational Discourse”

2022

Journal Article

Monoclonal antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein suitable for multiple applications for current variants of concern

Morgan, Mahali S., Yan, Kexin, Le, Thuy T., Johnston, Ryan A., Amarilla, Alberto A., Muller, David A., McMillan, Christopher L. D., Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel, Potter, James R., Sng, Julian D. J., Lor, Mary, Paramitha, Devina, Isaacs, Ariel, Khromykh, Alexander A., Hall, Roy A., Suhrbier, Andreas, Rawle, Daniel J. and Hobson-Peters, Jody (2022). Monoclonal antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein suitable for multiple applications for current variants of concern. Viruses, 15 (1) 139, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/v15010139

Monoclonal antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein suitable for multiple applications for current variants of concern

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    From shape to function: how structured RNA defines insect flaviviruses
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    How the synergy between flavivirus protein and noncoding RNA defeats antiviral response
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Predicting and preparing for the unfolding evolution of SARS-CoV-2
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2023
    Chimeric insect-specific viruses as novel vaccines for mosquito-borne diseases
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Noncoding RNAs of insect-specific flaviviruses: biogenesis and functions
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Chimeric insect-specific flaviviruses: a new generation of diagnostics and vaccines against mosquito-borne viral disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Epifluorescent and live-cell imaging microscopes for the investigation of host-pathogen interactions and for molecular and cellular biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Viral and host factors determining outcome of Zika virus infection
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    The role of non-coding viral RNAs in flavivirus infection and exosomal signalling
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Host genes controlling Flavivirus infection: new insights and application for developing highly effective Kunjin replicon-based Ebola vaccine
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Instrumentation for the analysis of cellular and metabolic phenotypes
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    A sensitive, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer with nanoUPLC system for qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A confocal microscope for investigation of live bacterial and viral pathogens and for molecular cell biology
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2019
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SRFB): Pathogenic flaviviruses: molecular mechanisms of disease, host response and vaccines
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Wolbachia and West Nile virus in mosquitoes: friends or foes?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Kunjin virus replicon vector plasmid evaluation
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Molecular pathogenesis of emerging West Nile viruses
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    The role of noncoding subgenomic flavivirus RNA in virus-host interactions
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Emergence of a virulent strain of West Nile virus causing fatal equine encephalitis in South Eastern Australia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Do insect-specific flaviviruses regulate the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases in Australia?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Role of flavivirus-encoded small regulatory RNAs in virus-mosquito vector interactions
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Cell culture facilities for studying host-pathogen interactions and immune function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Mass spectrometer for biomolecule discovery, structural analysis and quantification.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Regulatory cellular microRNAs and their role in insect anti-viral responses
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Viral factors contributing to flavivirus-induced cell death and pathogenicity
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    A functional interaction between domains of the flavivirus NS5 protein presents a new target for antiviral therapy
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    An integrated high -throughput fluorescence imaging facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Inhibition of interferon-alpah/beta by chikungunya virus and the induction of arthritis (NHMRC Project grant administered by QIMR)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    The role of subgenomic non-coding viral RNA in flavivirus pathogenicity
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Detection of imported exotic strains of West Nile virus for national biosecurity surveillance.
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Development of technique for rapid detection of pathogenic airborne particles (Australian Government co-funding research project led by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Infrastructure for biochemistry and infectious disease resarch in molecualr biosciences
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SRFA): Flavivirus replication
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Molecular Epidemiology and pathogenesis of mosquito-borne viruses
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    West Nile virus replication and host response
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Development of technique for rapid detection of pathogenic ariborne particles (PR06-0054)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Development of strategies for early detection of respiratory microbial infections possibly imported to Australia by humans and animals
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Inhibitors Of West Nile Virus Protease As Antiviral Drugs
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Viral factors involved in flavivirus replication and virus-host interactions
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Virulence determinants of encephalitic flaviviruses
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2010
    Attenuated West Nile virus vaccine
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Cellular microenvironments facilitating the replication and propagation of flaviviruses
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    How do flaviviruses modulate interferon response
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Three Class II Biohazard cabinets and one -86OC Freezer
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    The West Nile viral protease NS3: a target for antiviral drug and vaccine design
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    A Hybrid Fowlpox-Kunjin virus vector for the delivery of HIV/AIDS vaccines
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2007
    Flavivirus RNA replication and virus assembly
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Induction of protective immune responses to SIV Gag by Kunjin replicon vaccine in non-human primates
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Development of a personal sampler for viable airborne bacteria, fungi and virus
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    Development of Kunjin replicon-based Ebola vaccine
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    New system for gene therapy and protein production
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Novel polytope VLP vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children
    Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2003
    Molecular analyses of Favivirus RNA Replication, Packaging and Complementation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2003
    Kunjin virus replicon as a vector for HIV vaccine
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Flavivirus replication - Biogenesis, ultrastructure and functions of induced membranes.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Alexander Khromykh is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Cooperation between sfRNA and non-structural protein NS5 for flavivirus immune evasion

    This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance.

    Flaviviruses are important human pathogens that include West Nile, Dengue, Zika, Yellow fever virus and other viruses. They have a unique ability to produce viral noncoding RNA from their 3' untranslated region by hijacking host exoribonuclease. This RNA, termed subgenomic flaviviral RNA (sfRNA), accumulates in infected cells in high abundance and facilitates viral pathogenesis by supressing antiviral response. However, the molecular mechanism that determines this activity is not fully elucidated. Recently we have discovered that sfRNA of Zika virus executes this function in cooperation with the viral protein NS5. We found that sfRNA binds to and stabilises NS5, allowing this protein to inhibit phosphorylation of transcriptional factor STAT1, a key mediator of antiviral signalling.

    This project is aimed to uncover how sfRNA binding effects NS5 conformation and its ability to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation by identifying interacting sites in both molecules, characterising structural changes in NS5 caused by sfRNA binding and creating mutant viruses incapable of sfRNA-NS5 interactions. It will also investigate whether this mechanism is conserved between all flaviviruses.

    The successful candidate will have an opportunity to join one of the leading flavivirus laboratories and work in the dynamic team of internationally recognised experts at the forefront of flavivirus research. He/she will obtain experience in the wide range of classical and modern research techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, next generation sequencing, generation of mutant viruses, immunofluorescent virus detection, quantitative PCR, Northern blotting, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, etc. He/she will have an opportunity to communicate their research at the national and international conferences and publish in the leading academic journals.

  • Predicting and preparing for the unfolding evolution of SARS-CoV-2

    This Earmarked Scholarship project is aligned with a recently awarded Category 1 research grant. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers and contribute to large projects of national significance.

    SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of current COVID-19 pandemic which has already infected >270 million people and killed >5 million of them. Currently deployed and future vaccines are likely to significantly decrease the burden of pandemic, however, new viral variants are emerging that are less susceptible to vaccine-induced immunity. Hence, deeper understanding of what drives viral evolution under the pressure of vaccine-induced immune responses is needed to predict and prepare for the emergence of future variants and inform development of more effective vaccines. The project will employ deep mutational scanning methodology to identify changes in the viral spike protein responsible for altered susceptibility to vaccine-induced antibodies. The implications of identified changes on the properties of spike protein and susceptibility to vaccine-induced antibodies will be investigated using structural analysis and various functional assays. The findings will be critical for predicting viral changes that are likely to emerge in the landscape of vaccinations and provide invaluable information for pre-emptive development of vaccines that will be able to minimise future emergence of vaccine-resistant variants.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Alexander Khromykh directly for media enquiries about:

  • COVID-19
  • Ebola virus
  • Flaviviruses
  • Gene delivery systems
  • Gene expression
  • Immunisation
  • Molecular virology
  • Noncoding RNAs
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccines
  • Virus-host interactions
  • Viruses
  • West Nile Virus
  • Zika virus

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au