Dr Peera Jaru-Ampornpan
About
Dr Peera Jaru-Ampornpan joined BIOTEC’s Virology and Cell Technology lab in 2011 as a junior researcher focusing on polymerase subunits of the pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza virus . Later, Peera moved on to lead a project studying nucleoprotein-mediated intertypic interference during co-infection of types A and B influenza viruses. Using virological, cell biological, and biochemical approaches, Peera’s group delineated the mechanism underlying influenza A virus growth suppression by influenza B virus nucleoprotein (BNP). Currently, Peera is developing a novel anti-avian influenza virus (type A) agent based on BNP. As the lab branched out to study veterinary viruses such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), Peera also joined a project characterizing cleavage of PEDV nucleocapsid by PEDV-encoded main protease and studying its role in PEDV cell adaptation. Peera’s current research interests include basic research focusing on intertypic interference and host restriction of avian influenza viruses as well as applied research focusing on vaccine and antiviral therapeutics development for important swine viruses.