meet the young microbiologist of the year finalists: michaela j conley
posted on august 20, 2019 by 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？
the sir howard dalton young microbiologist of the year prize is awarded by the society each year. the prize recognises and rewards excellence in science communication by a 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ member who is a postgraduate student or postdoctoral researcher, having gained their phd in the last two years. two finalists are shortlisted from each of the society’s divisions based on a presentation given at the 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ annual conference or irish division meetings. the nine young scientists on this shortlist will give a 15-minute presentation at the 英格兰vs美国谁会赢？ ’s annual general meeting (agm) on 12 september. in the run up to the agm, we will be getting to know the finalists.
virology division finalist: dr michaela j conley
current position: research associate at the mrc-university of glasgow centre for virus research
title of talk: assembly of a portal-like structure in feline calicivirus following receptor engagement
research interests: viruses are amazing molecular machines that hijack host cells for their own replication. i am particularly fascinated by how rna viruses interact with their cellular receptors, trigger uptake into the cell and subsequently deliver their genome into the cytoplasm (for example, via endosomal escape for viruses such as the caliciviridae).
theme of talk: viruses can infect all forms of life on earth, but to do so they must enter their host cells. understanding this step is critical, not least for developing new anti-viral drugs. the cell entry mechanism of norovirus, which causes winter-vomiting disease, was poorly understood. to address this, we studied a related feline virus and discovered that it forms a portal or tube-shaped structure that penetrates the cell's defensive barrier, injecting the viral genome into the cell and initiating a new infection. this novel structure could provide a potential target for drugs against winter-vomiting disease and similar illnesses.
if i wasn't a microbiologist, i would be... a zoologist, due to my passion for both science and animals. although scientific research would be limited, day-to-day contact looking after animals and their well-being would be very rewarding. i did, however, consider studying undergraduate philosophy, which i am happily still able to pursue via the philosophy of science.