Welcome!

This page describes the research and teaching activities of Gerry McInerney's research group in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at the Karolinska Institutet.

Our research is aimed at an understanding of the early interactions between RNA viruses and their host cells. Using alphaviruses as tools, we have been studying viral and cellular protein interactions that are of importance for determining the outcomes of infection. Using this knowledge, we are working on a number of candidates for antiviral therapy. Recombinant Semliki Forest virus (rSFV) represents a powerful and versatile gene expression system that we are using to develop vaccine candidates. In 2019, Peter Liljeström merged his research group with ours and we are working together to develop this system into a next-generation generic vaccine platform.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been generating camelid-derived single chain antibodies (nanobodies) against the viral spike protein as candidates for antiviral therapy or diagnostic agents. As part of the CoroNAb consortium, we have also been also involved in serology and vaccinology projects.

October 2023 group picture.

Left to Right: Gerry McInerney, Saskia van Vliet, David Mentrup, Laura Perez Vidakovics, Hanna Bley, Mykhailo Guzyk, Siwen Long, Supreeti Mahajan.