Dr
Edward
Wright
After completing my BSc degree in Virology at the University of Edinburgh I successfully studied for a PhD in Molecular Virology from the University of Cambridge. Within the Department of Medicine my research concentrated on factors that control human cytomegalovirus gene expression. Following this I was able to secure funding to undertake research in Uganda at the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Research Unit on AIDS. These studies included investigating the role various co-infections and cytokines play in HIV disease progression. Prior to my appointment as a Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of Sussex I was a Lecturer at the University of Westminster, and before that, a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at University College London. In these posts I have developed an international reputation for my groups' research on the epidemiology and antigenicity of (re-)emerging viral zoonoses. Results from these studies are being applied to develop novel vaccines aimed at limiting the public health impact of these viruses.
Work within my group aims to improve our understanding of the epidemiology and antigenicity of viral zoonoses, using the results to aid development of novel methods for their control. Specific projects I am currently involved with include:
- Development of new pseudotyped virus assays to enable further studies into highly pathogenic viruses such as rabies/lyssaviruses, Ebolaviruses/filoviruses, henipaviruses etc.
- Antigenic studies of viral glycoproteins to generate optimised proteins that will elicit a broad and potent immune response.
- Generation of novel, broadly cross-neutralising antiviral vaccines and therapeutics.
I am a Joint Director at the Viral Pseudotype Unit (VPU), in charge of the labs in Sussex. The VPU has two constituent research and development labs: VPU (Sussex) has expertise in lyssaviruses, filoviruses and other emerging viruses, while VPU (Kent) has expertise in influenza and coronaviruses.
In addition I am part of the Scientific Management Committee at DIOSynVax Ltd, where we are developing new technology that will significantly accelerate vaccine development and achieve dramatic improvements to the protection against emerging and re-emerging pathogens.
Vaccine antigen development for rabies, lyssaviruses, filoviruses and lassa virus.
Disease dynamic studies of filoviruses and paramyxoviruses.