Investigating the mechanisms of cell-surface receptor clustering in virus entry

This PhD project will focus on developing novel simulations of receptor clustering in cell membranes. To infect a cell, viruses must penetrate cellular membrane barriers. Viruses engage specific receptors that typically cluster on the cell-surface upon virus binding, facilitating the molecular interactions that lead to penetration. Receptor clustering is known to influence the entry of viruses into cells, and so this research will have broad applicability to virus infection.