Elucidating the role of a novel virus-induced nuclear condensate in non-coding RNA biogenesis and the importance of the royal family of m6A reader pro

The ability of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to regulate gene expression offers unique possibilities for viruses to modulate virus gene expression. We have recently shown that the herpesvirus, KSHV, can manipulate the levels of host cell circular RNAs to enhance its own replication, by regulating the activity of other ncRNA species in so-called ncRNA regulatory networks. However, how KSHV regulates circRNA biogenesis to dysregulate their levels during infection is unknown. In this project I will examine (i) the role of virus-induced nuclear condensates in circRNA biogenesis and (ii) the role of host cell m6A machinery, particularly novel m6A reader proteins, utilised by viruses to regulate both viral and cellular ncRNA and mRNA processing during infection. Therefore, the project aims to better understanding the roles of ncRNA and m6A in virus replication and how gene expression is regulated post-transcriptionally during infection.