SotoRifoLab

We are mostly interested in the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the control of viral and cellular RNA metabolism. Currently, research in our lab is mainly focused on the metabolism of HIV-1, HIV-2, Zika virus and respiratory syncytial virus RNA, trying to understand the mechanisms by which the virus exploits cellular machineries to accomplish efficient viral replication. Current areas of investigation include the regulation of RNA metabolism by N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the isolation and characterization of the components present in the viral mRNPs, the analysis of viral mRNP remodeling by the DEAD-box RNA helicases, the localization of the viral RNA in membrane-less organelles, the identification of host factors promoting or interfering with viral RNA metabolism, amongst others. To accomplish these studies, our research lines spans a broad range of disciplines including cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, cell imaging and high throughput analyses