Biochemistry and Structural Biology

Currently, Hussan lab focuses on the following areas: 1- Understanding the structural and conformational properties of antibody target sites on the envelope glycoproteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by using NMR techniques to obtain necessary information required for structure based vaccine design. 2- Discovery of new HCV neutralizing antibodies from the sera of chronically infected patients by designing HCV antigenic probes and understanding the sub-molecular level mechanism of HCV neutralization by these antibodies. 3- Identification, engineering and structural investigation of antiviral lectins which inhibit viral entry to the target cells by recognizing specific glycans present on the surface of the virus.