BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Xiao Liu (E. Pienaar, advisor) Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:30pm EST. Research title: A Deep Understanding of Ebola Virus VLP Assembly: ODE-based Modeling Approach Date: June. 8th, 2022 Time: 1:30PM EST Location: *Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/97249087884?pwd=ZzBRL281cDZXblZPbTNWbU9WcjY2QT0... Committee members: Elsje Pienaar (Chair), Robert V. Stahelin, Nan Kong, Leopold N. Green Abstract: Ebola virus (EBOV) infections continue to pose a global public health threat, with high mortality rates and sporadic outbreaks in Central and Western Africa. A quantitative understanding of the key processes in the EBOV life cycle could provide valuable insights to inform drug development. The study aims at building an ODE-based computational model to understand the dynamic of EBOV transcription, replication and assembly through viral protein interactions as well as viral-host interactions. The model starts with the matrix protein VP40, which is capable of producing virus-like particles (VLPs) that closely resembles EBOV virions. The real-time dynamic of VP40 oligomers and the role of host phosphatidylserine (PS) in the assembly and budding process is studied with the VP40 model. Then, the model will be used to evaluate the treatment efficiency of fendiline, a PS-targeted drug, on VLP production. After a well-established VP40 model, we will continue incorporating other viral proteins into the system to build the minigenome model. The model will include transcription, replication, nucleocapsid assembly and the complex interactions between viral proteins. We will explore the influence of each protein on minigenome transcription, replication and VLP production process with the model. Especially, we are interested in how relative concentration profile of each protein may affect the status of whole system. Our findings will advance the current understanding of EBOV life cycle and help in the development of EBOV disease treatments. Also, our study will contribute to the establishment of a computational way in viral study at sub-cellular level. *Topic: Xiao's Prelim Examination Time: Jun 8, 2022 01:30 PM Indiana (East) Join Zoom Meeting https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/97249087884?pwd=ZzBRL281cDZXblZPbTNWbU9WcjY2QT0... Meeting ID: 972 4908 7884 Passcode: 753507 One tap mobile +13017158592,,97249087884#,,,,*753507# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,97249087884#,,,,*753507# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 972 4908 7884 Passcode: 753507 Find your local number: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/u/ad4ifdzD0v