Dr Muhammad Munir

Lecturer in Biomedicine

Research Interests

I am virologist with research experience on virus pathobiology, viral antagonism of immune responses and host factors that limit virus replication. Research in my laboratory focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of inter-species pathogenesis of viruses (i.e zoonotic viruses). Specifically, using influenza viruses and coronaviruses (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, causitive agent of CoVID-19), my research aim to explore host and viral RNA biology (sensing – interferon responses, epigenetics and gene regulation) and define structural and functional differences in human and animals (e.g. birds and bats), which determine the transmission dynamics of animal viruses to human.

I also study differential virus pathobology, diagnosis and vaccine developments against viruses in different animal hosts with special focus on Newcastle disease virus, a paramyxovirus causing enormous economic losses in the poultry, well-characterized vaccine vector and carrying excellent oncolytic properties. More information on this virus.

My laboratory is funded by the BBSRC, British Council, Newton Fund, and Royal Society, and is equipped with CL3 facilities, holding avian viruses bank, chicken eggs facilities and expanding to establish vaccine vectors bank.

Current Research

Current projects in my laboratory include:-

Dissecting Essential Roles of Chicken Interferon Stimulated Genes in the Pathobiology of Poultry Viruses (BBSRC BB/M008681/1 )
Novel Vaccines and Diagnostic Technologies against Veterinary and Zoonotic Pathogens (British Council 2017-RLWK9-11103)
Control of Multiple Respiratory Viral Infections in Poultry (British Council 332228521) (In collaboration with Prof James Stewart, University of Liverpool)
Establishing Field Data-Driven Vaccine Platform for Newcastle Disease Virus: Step Towards Poverty Alleviation & Food Security in Kenya (British Council NRF/Newton UTAFITI FUND/04/2017)
Low-cost Portable Molecular Diagnostic Platform for Rapid Detection of Zoonotic and Poultry Infectious Pathogens (LMDP) BBSRC BB/R012695/1 (In collaboration with Wamadeva Balachandran (Brunel), Ruth Ellinor Mackay (Brunel), Warnakulasuriya Anil Fernando (Brunel), Roberto Marcello La Ragione (Surrey), and Rajagopal Nilavalan (Brunel))
Evasion of host innate immunity by Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and its pathogenic consequences (BBSRC Grant: grant.BBS/E/I/00001991) PhD Studentship with Prof Steve Goodbourn, St, George University of London

Previous projects in my laboratry include:

Population genetic diversity of wild birds and its influence on virus evolution and biology (BBSRC Grant: grant.BB/L026546/1)
Preparedness for novel virus emergence from wild birds and bats: metagenomics-driven viromes and understanding innate immunity (British Council)
Construction of an interferon stimulatory gene mini-library for chiropteran species and assessment of the expression dynamics of bat interferon stimulated genes (baISGs) (Royal Society)
Genetic diversity in immune response (BBSRC Grant: grant.BBS/E/I/00001852)
Triple-Reporter Cell Lines for Screening of Antiviral and Viral Immune Modulator (Royal Society)

Current Teaching

I currently teach first and second year students on Biol122: Impacts of Microbes, Biol123: Infection and Immunity. Supervise practicals for Biol122 and third year student on Biol387 Projects, and master students.

PhD Supervision Interests

I can offer PhD and MSc research projects on either molecular mechanisms of virus pathogenesis or host responses against viruses.

Fully Funded PhD studentship available: Epigenetic Regulation of Viruses. Applicaiton Deadline: 12 January 2019. Start: October 2019

Masters by Research projects available: 1. Roles of Interferon Regulated Genes in the Pathobiology of Influenza Virus. 2. Proteomic Approaches in Understanding Viral Antagonism of Host Responses

Please contact me for further details.

PhD Supervision Interests

Following projects are on offer: 1. Epigenetic Regulation of Viruses. 2. Roles of Interferon Regulated Genes in the Pathobiology of Influenza Virus. 3. Proteomic Approaches in Understanding Viral Antagonism of Host Responses