Riaz-Ali Somji

Biography

I am a PhD researcher at the University of Essex, where my work centers on the role of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) in human seasonal coronavirus infections, with a specific focus on HCoV-NL63. My research investigates the links between mTOR signaling, autophagy, and viral pathogenesis, shedding light on critical pathways that could inform our understanding of these viruses. HCoV-NL63 is particularly important in my studies because it serves as a surrogate virus to study SARS-CoV-2. Like SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-NL63 utilises the ACE2 receptor to infect cells, making it a valuable model for investigating viral-host interactions relevant to more severe coronavirus infections. Since HCoV-NL63 is a low-pathogenic virus causing mild respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold, it can be safely studied in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory. This accessibility is crucial for advancing research in labs without high-level biosafety facilities, which often pose a bottleneck for work on dangerous viruses like SARS-CoV-2, slowing drug and vaccine discovery efforts. In addition to studying respiratory aspects, I explore an often-overlooked area: the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with human coronaviruses, such as diarrhea. Using Caco-2 cells, an immortalised human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, I investigate how mTOR inhibitors affect viral replication and autophagic processes. While autophagy in viral infections has been extensively studied, the specific role of mTOR-regulated autophagy in human coronaviruses remains a largely uncharted area. By exploring this novel research frontier, I hope to deepen our understanding of how coronaviruses exploit host cellular pathways.

Qualifications

• BSc Biomedical Sciences University of Essex (2021)

Thesis