Dr Slonchak obtained PhD in molecular biology in 2010. During PhD he was investigating cell-specific mechanisms responsible for transcriptional regulation of the human gene encoding for phase II detoxification enzyme glutathione S-transferase P1 in normal and cancer cells. When working on this project he acquired an interest in the role of noncoding RNAs in regulation of gene expression, which he further developed by joining the RNA virology lab at University of Queensland to study the role of noncoding RNAs in flavivirus-host interactions under supervision of Prof. Alexander Khromykh.
His current research into the role of noncoding RNAs in flavivirus infection involves a combination of molecular, biochemical and computational techniques. His research includes studying the role of host miRNAs in response to flavivirus infection, identifying the functions of virus-derived long noncoding RNA (subgenomic flaviviral RNA, sfRNA) in viral replication and inhibition of the host immune pathways and determining the mechanisms of sfRNA biogenesis in insect-specific flaviviruses. In his research Dr Slonchak make an extensive use of high-throughput technologies such as RNA-seq followed by reconstruction of gene interaction networks and computational modeling of signaling pathways.
Journal Article: Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis
Slonchak, Andrii, Wang, Xiaohui, Aguado, Julio, Sng, Julian D. J., Chaggar, Harman, Freney, Morgan E., Yan, Kexin, Torres, Francisco J., Amarilla, Alberto A., Balea, Rickyle, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias, Watterson, Daniel, Wolvetang, Ernst, Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis. Science Advances, 8 (48) eadd8095, eadd8095. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.add8095
Journal Article: Structural analysis of 3’UTRs in insect flaviviruses reveals novel determinants of sfRNA biogenesis and provides new insights into flavivirus evolution
Slonchak, Andrii, Parry, Rhys, Pullinger, Brody, Sng, Julian D. J., Wang, Xiaohui, Buck, Teresa F., Torres, Francisco J., Harrison, Jessica J., Colmant, Agathe M. G., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Hall, Roy A., Tuplin, Andrew and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Structural analysis of 3’UTRs in insect flaviviruses reveals novel determinants of sfRNA biogenesis and provides new insights into flavivirus evolution. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 1279, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28977-3
Journal Article: Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes
Slonchak, Andrii, Hugo, Leon E., Freney, Morgan E., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Amarilla, Alberto A., Torres, Francisco J., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Hall, Roy A., van den Hurk, Andrew F., Devine, Gregor J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2020). Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2205, 2205. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16086-y
Journal Article: Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning
Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Peng, Nias Y. G., Griffiths, Rebecca E., Carrera, Julio, Freney, Morgan E., Nakayama, Eri, Ogawa, Shinya, Watterson, Daniel, Modhiran, Naphak, Nanyonga, Faith Elizabeth, Torres, Francisco J., Slonchak, Andrii, Periasamy, Parthiban, Prow, Natalie A., Tang, Bing, Harrison, Jessica, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Cuddihy, Thom, Cooper-White, Justin, Hall, Roy A., Young, Paul R., Mackenzie, Jason M., Wolvetang, Ernst, Bloom, Jesse D., Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2019). Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning. Nature Microbiology, 4 (5), 876-887. doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0399-4
Journal Article: Human miRNA miR-532-5p exhibits antiviral activity against West Nile virus via suppression of host genes SESTD1 and TAB3 required for virus replication
Slonchak, Andrii, Shannon, Rory P, Pali, Gabor and Khromykh, Alexander A (2016). Human miRNA miR-532-5p exhibits antiviral activity against West Nile virus via suppression of host genes SESTD1 and TAB3 required for virus replication. Journal of Virology, 90 (5), 2388-2402. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02608-15
Journal Article: Expression of mosquito microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p is down-regulated in response to West Nile Virus infection to restrict viral replication
Slonchak, Andrii, Hussain, Mazhar, Torres Morales, Shessy, Asgari, Sassan and Khromykh, Alexander (2014). Expression of mosquito microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p is down-regulated in response to West Nile Virus infection to restrict viral replication. Journal of Virology, 88 (15), 8457-8467. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00317-14
Why certain viruses don't get along in mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism.
(2024–2028) ARC Future Fellowships
From shape to function: how structured RNA defines insect flaviviruses
(2024–2026) ARC Discovery Projects
Dissecting the mechanisms of flavivirus neuro-pathogenesis using the systems biology approach
(2023–2025) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
Cooperation between sfRNA and non-structural protein NS5 for flavivirus immune evasion
Doctor Philosophy
Zika virus: Developing and exploiting mouse models for preclinical evaluation of new vaccines
(2022) Doctor Philosophy
Noncoding RNAs of insect-specific flaviviruses: biogenesis and functions
This project aims to understand biogenesis and functions of viral noncoding RNA (sfRNA) produced by insect specific flaviviruses (ISFs). Flaviviruses is a large group of positive strand RNA viruses, which includes important human pathogens such as Dengue, Zika and West Nile virus. ISFs is a subgroup of flaviviruses that can only replicate in mosquito host and are not capable of propagation in vertebrates. They have recently attracted significant attention due to their potential use as a backbone for development of the vaccines against pathogenic flaviviruses. Flaviviruses have evolved to subvert host mRNA decay pathway to generate a functional noncoding RNA by incomplete degradation of their genomic RNA. Production of this RNA is highly conserved amongst all members of Flavivirus genus and has been identified as an important determinant of replication for pathogenic flaviviruses. However, the mechanism of action for sfRNA in insects is largely unknown.
In this project we will identify structural determinants of ISF sfRNA biogenesis, elucidate the role of sfRNA in their replication and identify host pathways targeted by sfRNA in mosquitoes. We will also asses if ISF-specific aspects of sfRNA production contribute to restriction of their replication in mammalian host. UQ researches involved in this project have always been at the forefront of flavivirus research with their achievements including discovery of sfRNA biogenesis and functions, characterization of novel insect-specific flaviviruses and testing their applications for vaccine development. By joining this project, the successful candidate will have an excellent opportunity to develop skills in RNA biology, molecular virology and bioinformatics.
Slonchak, Andrii, Wang, Xiaohui, Aguado, Julio, Sng, Julian D. J., Chaggar, Harman, Freney, Morgan E., Yan, Kexin, Torres, Francisco J., Amarilla, Alberto A., Balea, Rickyle, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias, Watterson, Daniel, Wolvetang, Ernst, Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis. Science Advances, 8 (48) eadd8095, eadd8095. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.add8095
Slonchak, Andrii, Parry, Rhys, Pullinger, Brody, Sng, Julian D. J., Wang, Xiaohui, Buck, Teresa F., Torres, Francisco J., Harrison, Jessica J., Colmant, Agathe M. G., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Hall, Roy A., Tuplin, Andrew and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Structural analysis of 3’UTRs in insect flaviviruses reveals novel determinants of sfRNA biogenesis and provides new insights into flavivirus evolution. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 1279, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28977-3
Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes
Slonchak, Andrii, Hugo, Leon E., Freney, Morgan E., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Amarilla, Alberto A., Torres, Francisco J., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Hall, Roy A., van den Hurk, Andrew F., Devine, Gregor J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2020). Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2205, 2205. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16086-y
Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning
Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Peng, Nias Y. G., Griffiths, Rebecca E., Carrera, Julio, Freney, Morgan E., Nakayama, Eri, Ogawa, Shinya, Watterson, Daniel, Modhiran, Naphak, Nanyonga, Faith Elizabeth, Torres, Francisco J., Slonchak, Andrii, Periasamy, Parthiban, Prow, Natalie A., Tang, Bing, Harrison, Jessica, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Cuddihy, Thom, Cooper-White, Justin, Hall, Roy A., Young, Paul R., Mackenzie, Jason M., Wolvetang, Ernst, Bloom, Jesse D., Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2019). Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning. Nature Microbiology, 4 (5), 876-887. doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0399-4
Slonchak, Andrii, Shannon, Rory P, Pali, Gabor and Khromykh, Alexander A (2016). Human miRNA miR-532-5p exhibits antiviral activity against West Nile virus via suppression of host genes SESTD1 and TAB3 required for virus replication. Journal of Virology, 90 (5), 2388-2402. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02608-15
Slonchak, Andrii, Hussain, Mazhar, Torres Morales, Shessy, Asgari, Sassan and Khromykh, Alexander (2014). Expression of mosquito microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p is down-regulated in response to West Nile Virus infection to restrict viral replication. Journal of Virology, 88 (15), 8457-8467. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00317-14
Regulation of the Glutathione S-Transferase P1 Expression in Melanoma Cells
Slonchak, Andrii, Chwieduk, Agata, Rzeszowska-Wolny, Joanna and Obolenskay, Maria (2011). Regulation of the Glutathione S-Transferase P1 Expression in Melanoma Cells. Breakthroughs in Melanoma Research. (pp. 57-76) Zagreb, Croatia: InTech. doi: 10.5772/18747
A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK
Parry, Rhys H., Slonchak, Andrii, Campbell, Lewis J., Newton, Natalee D., Debat, Humberto J., Gifford, Robert J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2023). A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK. Journal of General Virology, 104 (12) 001927. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001927
Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2
Shaker, Mohammed R., Slonchak, Andrii, Al-mhanawi, Bahaa, Morrison, Sean D., Sng, Julian D. J., Cooper-White, Justin, Khromykh, Alexander A. and Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2023). Choroid plexus defects in Down syndrome brain organoids enhance neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2. bioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544552
Slonchak, Andrii, Chaggar, Harman, Aguado, Julio, Wolvetang, Ernst and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2023). Noncoding RNA of Zika virus affects interplay between Wnt-signaling and pro-apoptotic pathways in the developing brain tissue. Viruses, 15 (5) 1062, 1062. doi: 10.3390/v15051062
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”. Journal of Virology, 97 (5), e0045123. doi: 10.1128/jvi.00451-23
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”. mSphere, 8 (3), e0016523. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00165-23
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”. mBio, 14 (3), e0081523. doi: 10.1128/mbio.00815-23
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope-a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope-a Call for Rational Discourse”. Journal of Virology, 97 (5). doi: 10.1128/jvi.00451-23
Slonchak, Andrii, Wang, Xiaohui, Aguado, Julio, Sng, Julian D. J., Chaggar, Harman, Freney, Morgan E., Yan, Kexin, Torres, Francisco J., Amarilla, Alberto A., Balea, Rickyle, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias, Watterson, Daniel, Wolvetang, Ernst, Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Zika virus noncoding RNA cooperates with the viral protein NS5 to inhibit STAT1 phosphorylation and facilitate viral pathogenesis. Science Advances, 8 (48) eadd8095, eadd8095. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.add8095
Reporter flaviviruses as tools to demonstrate homologous and heterologous superinfection exclusion
Torres, Francisco J., Parry, Rhys, Hugo, Leon E. , Slonchak, Andrii , Newton, Natalee D. , Vet, Laura J. , Modhiran, Naphak, Pullinger, Brody , Wang, Xiaohui , Potter, James , Winterford, Clay , Hobson-Peters, Jody , Hall, Roy A. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Reporter flaviviruses as tools to demonstrate homologous and heterologous superinfection exclusion. Viruses, 14 (7) 1501, 1501. doi: 10.3390/v14071501
Peng, Nias Y. G., Amarilla, Alberto A., Hugo, Leon E., Modhiran, Naphak, Sng, Julian D. J., Slonchak, Andrii, Watterson, Daniel, Setoh, Yin Xiang and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). The distinguishing NS5-M114V mutation in American Zika virus isolates has negligible impacts on virus replication and transmission potential. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16 (5) e0010426, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010426
Slonchak, Andrii, Parry, Rhys, Pullinger, Brody, Sng, Julian D. J., Wang, Xiaohui, Buck, Teresa F., Torres, Francisco J., Harrison, Jessica J., Colmant, Agathe M. G., Hobson-Peters, Jody, Hall, Roy A., Tuplin, Andrew and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2022). Structural analysis of 3’UTRs in insect flaviviruses reveals novel determinants of sfRNA biogenesis and provides new insights into flavivirus evolution. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 1279, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28977-3
Neural epidermal growth factor-like like protein 2 is expressed in human oligodendroglial cell types
Shaker, Mohammed R., Kahtan, Amna, Prasad, Renuka, Lee, Ju-Hyun, Pietrogrande, Giovanni, Leeson, Hannah C., Sun, Woong, Wolvetang, Ernst J. and Slonchak, Andrii (2022). Neural epidermal growth factor-like like protein 2 is expressed in human oligodendroglial cell types. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10 803061, 803061. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.803061
Hazlewood, Jessamine E., Dumenil, Troy, Le, Thuy T., Slonchak, Andrii, Kazakoff, Stephen H., Patch, Ann-Marie, Gray, Lesley-Ann, Howley, Paul M., Liu, Liang, Hayball, John D., Yan, Kexin, Rawle, Daniel J., Prow, Natalie A. and Suhrbier, Andreas (2021). Injection site vaccinology of a recombinant vaccinia-based vector reveals diverse innate immune signatures. PLoS Pathogens, 17 (1) e1009215, 1-39. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009215
Rawle, Daniel J., Nguyen, Wilson, Dumenil, Troy, Parry, Rhys, Warrilow, David, Tang, Bing, Le, Thuy T., Slonchak, Andrii, Khromykh, Alexander A., Lutzky, Viviana P., Yan, Kexin and Suhrbier, Andreas (2020). Sequencing of historical isolates, k‐mer mining and high serological cross‐reactivity with Ross River virus argue against the presence of Getah virus in Australia. Pathogens, 9 (10) 848, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/pathogens9100848
Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes
Slonchak, Andrii, Hugo, Leon E., Freney, Morgan E., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Amarilla, Alberto A., Torres, Francisco J., Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Hall, Roy A., van den Hurk, Andrew F., Devine, Gregor J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2020). Zika virus noncoding RNA suppresses apoptosis and is required for virus transmission by mosquitoes. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 2205, 2205. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16086-y
Slonchak, Andrii, Clarke, Brian, Mackenzie, Jason, Amarilla, Alberto Anastacio, Setoh, Yin Xiang and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2019). West Nile virus infection and interferon alpha treatment alter the spectrum and the levels of coding and noncoding host RNAs secreted in extracellular vesicles. BMC Genomics, 20 (1) 474, 474. doi: 10.1186/s12864-019-5835-6
Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning
Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Peng, Nias Y. G., Griffiths, Rebecca E., Carrera, Julio, Freney, Morgan E., Nakayama, Eri, Ogawa, Shinya, Watterson, Daniel, Modhiran, Naphak, Nanyonga, Faith Elizabeth, Torres, Francisco J., Slonchak, Andrii, Periasamy, Parthiban, Prow, Natalie A., Tang, Bing, Harrison, Jessica, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Cuddihy, Thom, Cooper-White, Justin, Hall, Roy A., Young, Paul R., Mackenzie, Jason M., Wolvetang, Ernst, Bloom, Jesse D., Suhrbier, Andreas and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2019). Determinants of Zika virus host tropism uncovered by deep mutational scanning. Nature Microbiology, 4 (5), 876-887. doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0399-4
Subgenomic flaviviral RNAs: what do we know after the first decade of research
Slonchak, Andrii and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2018). Subgenomic flaviviral RNAs: what do we know after the first decade of research. Antiviral Research, 159, 13-25. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.09.006
Lower temperatures reduce type I interferon activity and promote alphaviral arthritis
Prow, Natalie A., Tang, Bing, Gardner, Joy, Le, Thuy T., Taylor, Adam, Poo, Yee S., Nakayama, Eri, Hirata, Thiago D. C., Nakaya, Helder I., Slonchak, Andrii, Mukhopadhyay, Pamela, Mahalingam, Suresh, Schroder, Wayne A., Klimstra, William and Suhrbier, Andreas (2017). Lower temperatures reduce type I interferon activity and promote alphaviral arthritis. PL o S Pathogens, 13 (12) e1006788, e1006788. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006788
Setoh, Yin Xiang, Periasamy, Parthiban, Peng, Nias Yong Gao, Amarilla, Alberto A, Slonchak, Andrii and Khromykh, Alexander A (2017). Helicase Domain of West Nile Virus NS3 Protein Plays a Role in Inhibition of Type I Interferon Signalling. Viruses, 9 (11) 326, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/v9110326
Setoh, Yin Xiang, Amarilla, Alberto A., Peng, Nias Y., Slonchak, Andrii, Periasamy, Parthiban, Figueiredo, Luiz T. M., Aquino, Victor H. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2017). Full genome sequence of Rocio virus reveal substantial variations from the prototype Rocio virus SPH 34675 sequence. Archives of Virology, 163 (1), 255-258. doi: 10.1007/s00705-017-3561-4
Slonchak, Andrii, Shannon, Rory P, Pali, Gabor and Khromykh, Alexander A (2016). Human miRNA miR-532-5p exhibits antiviral activity against West Nile virus via suppression of host genes SESTD1 and TAB3 required for virus replication. Journal of Virology, 90 (5), 2388-2402. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02608-15
Functional non-coding RNAs derived from the flavivirus 3' untranslated region
Clarke, B. D., Roby, J. A., Slonchak, A. and Khromykh, A. A. (2015). Functional non-coding RNAs derived from the flavivirus 3' untranslated region. Virus Research, 206, 53-61. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.01.026
Slonchak, Andrii, Hussain, Mazhar, Torres Morales, Shessy, Asgari, Sassan and Khromykh, Alexander (2014). Expression of mosquito microRNA aae-miR-2940-5p is down-regulated in response to West Nile Virus infection to restrict viral replication. Journal of Virology, 88 (15), 8457-8467. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00317-14
Structure and functions of glutathione S-transferase Pl-1
Slonchak, A. M. and Obolenska, M. Yu (2009). Structure and functions of glutathione S-transferase Pl-1. Ukrain'skyi Biokhimichnyi Zhurnal, 81 (1), 5-13.
Slonchak, A. M., Chwieduk, A., Rzeszowska-Wolny, J. and Obolenskaya, M. Yu. (2009). Crosstalk between transcription factors in regulation of the human glutathione S-transferase P1 gene expression in Me45 melanoma cells. Biopolymers and Cell, 25 (3), 210-217. doi: 10.7124/bc.0007DE
Slonchak, A. M., Chwieduk, A., Rzeszowska-Wolny, J. and Yu Obolenska, M. (2009). Transcription regulation in differential expression of the human GSTP1 gene in breast and choriocarcinoma cells. Ukrainskiǐ biokhimicheskiǐ zhurnal, 81 (4), 48-58.
Some aspects of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 gene transcription regulation in human placenta
Slonchak, A. M., Martsenyuk, O. P., Rzeszowska-Wolny, J., Widlak, P. and Obolenska, M. Yu (2007). Some aspects of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 gene transcription regulation in human placenta. Ukrain'skyi Biokhimichnyi Zhurnal, 79 (4), 67-75.
Zika Virus sfRNA plays an essential role in the infection of insects and mammals
Slonchak, Andrii, Hugo, Leon E., Freney, Morgan, Amarilla, Alberto A., Hall-Mendelin, Sonja, Yan, Kexin, Torres, Francisco, Setoh, Yin Xiang, Peng, Nias, Chaggar, Harman K., Hurk, Andrew Van Den, Wolvetang, Ernst, Suhrbier, Andreas, Devine, Gregor J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2020). Zika Virus sfRNA plays an essential role in the infection of insects and mammals. Viruses 2020—Novel Concepts in Virology, Barcelona, Spain, 5–7 February 2020. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2020050112
Why certain viruses don't get along in mosquitoes. The molecular mechanism.
(2024–2028) ARC Future Fellowships
From shape to function: how structured RNA defines insect flaviviruses
(2024–2026) ARC Discovery Projects
Dissecting the mechanisms of flavivirus neuro-pathogenesis using the systems biology approach
(2023–2025) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
How the synergy between flavivirus protein and noncoding RNA defeats antiviral response
(2022–2024) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
Noncoding RNAs of insect-specific flaviviruses: biogenesis and functions
(2019–2023) ARC Discovery Projects
Cooperation between sfRNA and non-structural protein NS5 for flavivirus immune evasion
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Zika virus: Developing and exploiting mouse models for preclinical evaluation of new vaccines
(2022) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Noncoding RNAs of insect-specific flaviviruses: biogenesis and functions
This project aims to understand biogenesis and functions of viral noncoding RNA (sfRNA) produced by insect specific flaviviruses (ISFs). Flaviviruses is a large group of positive strand RNA viruses, which includes important human pathogens such as Dengue, Zika and West Nile virus. ISFs is a subgroup of flaviviruses that can only replicate in mosquito host and are not capable of propagation in vertebrates. They have recently attracted significant attention due to their potential use as a backbone for development of the vaccines against pathogenic flaviviruses. Flaviviruses have evolved to subvert host mRNA decay pathway to generate a functional noncoding RNA by incomplete degradation of their genomic RNA. Production of this RNA is highly conserved amongst all members of Flavivirus genus and has been identified as an important determinant of replication for pathogenic flaviviruses. However, the mechanism of action for sfRNA in insects is largely unknown.
In this project we will identify structural determinants of ISF sfRNA biogenesis, elucidate the role of sfRNA in their replication and identify host pathways targeted by sfRNA in mosquitoes. We will also asses if ISF-specific aspects of sfRNA production contribute to restriction of their replication in mammalian host. UQ researches involved in this project have always been at the forefront of flavivirus research with their achievements including discovery of sfRNA biogenesis and functions, characterization of novel insect-specific flaviviruses and testing their applications for vaccine development. By joining this project, the successful candidate will have an excellent opportunity to develop skills in RNA biology, molecular virology and bioinformatics.