At the forefront of discovery, our mission is to unravel the intricate dance between pathogenic viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and Respiratory Syncytial virus, and the human body—a dance that ultimately determines the fate of infection, whether it’s a viral triumph or a resounding victory for our defences.

Envision viruses as clever attendees at a cellular feast, voraciously seeking nourishment and resources from their host to multiply. However, within the intricate weave of our cells, exists a complex array of antiviral tactics, intricately crafted to foil every viral pursuit. These strategies, akin to intricate locks, safeguard the vital processes necessary for a virus to accomplish its life cycle. Some are marshalled as part of our innate defence and fuel the flames of inflammation, while others are subverted by the virus for its advantage.

In the realm of combating invasions, our cells rely on sentinels — cytosolic receptors — that spot the genetic signatures of invading viruses. The orchestration of these pathways is a complex symphony that must be finely regulated; one misstep can lead to inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, including rare conditions and interferonopathies.