Glenn Marsh

Dr Marsh has a background specialising in molecular virology and new and emerging viruses.

He undertook his post doctoral studies at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City working on influenza virus assembly.

Dr Marsh's current research focuses on two areas:

1. pathogen discovery and characterisation - this project is investigating new viruses carried by animals, with a focus on bats. The emphasis is on discovery of novel viruses with the potential to cross over into humans causing disease. Cedar virus is an example of a newly discovered virus in bats that is closely related to the henipaviruses Nipah and Hendra viruses. Interestingly, initial studies of the Cedar virus has shown that it does not cause illness in several animal species normally susceptible to Hendra and Nipah viruses.

2. pathogenicity determinants - identification of the molecular determinants that cause pathogens, such as Hendra virus and Ebola virus, to be so deadly. This project is using reverse genetics to identify key protein domains that contribute to the deadly phenotype seen with these viruses. The project is currently focused on henipaviruses with a small amount of influenza virus and filovirus work.