The focus of my TBI funded research is the discovery, molecular characterization, and understanding of novel archaeal viruses from high temperature (>80C) acidic (pH< 3.0) environments present in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). 

A detailed understanding of these unusual viruses from hyperthermophiles is leading to new insights into the evolution of viruses and their host cells, biochemical adaptations required for life at high temperature, and the role viruses play in the ecology of hot spring environments.  They may also provide new insight into the evolution of life on earth and the possibility of life on non-earth based bodies. Our research has been both scientifically rewarding and productive.  Research highlights include the following:

1. The discovery and molecular characterization of multiple different viruses that replicate in a diversity of hyperthermophilic archaeal hosts.  These viruses have been isolated utilizing both culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. These viruses are completely novel and have not been previously described.
   
2. The high-resolution structure of one of these high temperature viruses, STIV, revealed a new virus structure with elaborate propeller-like structures extending from each of the five-fold vertices. Detailed analysis of STIV reveals that this group of viruses has an evolutionally history extending back more than 3 billion years.
3. The continuous monitoring of virus and host populations suggests an enormous virus community size that rapidly migrates between hot springs and potentially worldwide.  The cloning, expression, purification, assembly and crystallization of the first ferritin-like protein cage from Sulfolobus sulfataricus.

Current Laboratory Personnel

Eric Gillitzer, Postdoctoral Associate
Alice Ortmann, Postdoctoral Associate
Jean Allen, Ph.D. Graduate Student
Jennifer Fulton, Ph.D. Graduate Student
Lars Liepold Ph.D. Graduate Student
Hulda Porisdottir, M.S. Graduate Student
Josh Spuhler, M.S. Graduate Student
Darla Cadman, Undergraduate Student
Sue Brumfield, Electron Microscope Technician
Ben Widener, Laboratory Technician
Debbie Willits, Laboratory Manager

Debbie Willits, manager of the Young lab, moniters a reaction.

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