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School of Biosciences
   
   
  
 

Ken Mellits

Lecturer, Faculty of Science

Contact

  • workFood Sciences
    Sutton Bonington Campus
    Sutton Bonington
    Leicestershire
    LE12 5RD
    UK
  • work0115 951 6172
  • fax0115 951 6162

Research Summary

My research is directed in understanding the role of viruses in the transmission of food borne illness. The most important cause of food borne epidemic gasteroenteritis worldwide is the Small Round… read more

Recent Publications

Current Research

My research is directed in understanding the role of viruses in the transmission of food borne illness. The most important cause of food borne epidemic gasteroenteritis worldwide is the Small Round Structured Viruses (SRSVs) now called "Norwalk-like viruses" (NLVs) after the prototypic virus. NLVs are positive strand RNA viruses of the family Caliciviridae. NLVs are spread by ingestion of contaminated food or water and also by secondary person-to-person transmission. NLVs are difficult to study because they do not replicate in cell culture, moreover an animal model is not available. However, the molecular cloning and gene expression of the NLV genome has enabled us to establish the clinical importance of these viruses and also explore mechanisms of prevention and cure. NLV genomes contain three open reading frames which respectively encode the non-structural proteins (1), capsid proteins (2) and a basic protein of unknown function (3). Interestingly, open reading frames 1 and 2 share conserved sequences within their N-termini. As a first step to understand the role of these conserved sequences in NLV infection we have used reporter gene based assays to examine their translational efficiency. Since one of the primary mechanisms by which NLVs are spread is through ingestion of contaminated water or food prepared with contaminated water supplies, we have begun to examine mechanisms where by the virus can be physically from water supplies. In collaboration with Prof. A. Rowe, National Centre for Molecular Hydrodynamics, University of Nottingham, we are using model systems to study `swelling' as a mechanism to remove virus from water. Specific agents are employed that swell viral capsid structures, such that ubiquitous nucleases present in water are able to access and digest genomic RNA present in the viral core. As a molecular virologist I have been interested in mechanisms by which viruses can control signal transduction pathways, facilitating efficient infection of eukaryotic cells. Similarly, in collaboration with colleagues at Nottingham we have initiated studies to address the mechanisms by which all food borne pathogens may activate signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells. These studies currently include the enteric adenoviruses and NLVs but also enterovirulent Escherichia coli, thermophilic campylobacters and Listeria monocytogenes. The activation of signal transduction pathways may occur simply as a consequence of infection or they may act to facilitate the course of the infection. In either event we are interested in the short and long-term effects of stimulating these pathways on the pathogen and the host.

School of Biosciences

University of Nottingham
Sutton Bonington Campus
Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD

telephone: +44 (0)115 9516400
fax: +44 (0) 115 951 6020
email: biosciences-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk