Stuart Ferguson

• CDT Doctoral Researcher Supervisor: Dr Liz Morris
• Email: stuart.g.ferguson@durham.ac.uk
• Project Title: Structure guided approach to assay development for inhibiting Dengue virus replication

Institution: Durham university

Project summary: Dengue virus is a tropical disease which infects millions annually, causing around 20,000 deaths each year. Despite this, no licenced drugs are available. Previous research has revealed the structures of Dengue virus proteins and RNA. However, it remains unknown how these molecules assemble. Here, we will determine how proteins interact in the “Dengue virus replication complex” and design high-throughput assays for drug discovery against Dengue and related viruses such as Zika.

 Interesting fact: I played on the worst youth football team in central Scotland.