About
I am a Team Head of the Emerging Viral Diseases Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer. I completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2014 and completed my PhD in molecular virology at UQ and QIMR Berghofer in 2019.
I've worked in high biocontainment laboratories (PC3) for 11 years with SARS-CoV-2, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV), HIV, and West Nile virus. In addition, I have worked with several PC2 viruses including Ross River virus (RRV), Murray Valley Encephalitis virus (MVEV), Zika, Getah, Mayaro, O'nyong'nyong and Dengue viruses. Â
My scientific vision is to elucidate the mechanisms of virus replication and immunopathology, collaborating with experts and industry partners to develop and bring to market effective interventions such as antivirals, anti-inflammatories, and vaccines, thereby combating dangerous emerging viruses.
Research Skills
I leverage my expertise in the molecular biology of virus-host interactions and the use of mouse models of viral infection and immunopathology to investigate how viral infection at the molecular level drives disease progression at the tissue and systemic levels. My specific laboratory techniques include:
- Molecular assays of virus-host interactions (e.g. co-immunoprecipitation)
- Whole genome screening technologies (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens)
- Viral infection of cells and organoids
- Mouse models of viral infection and disease, including in physical containment 3 (PC3) laboratories
- Histopathology
- RNA-seq
- Single-cell spatial transcriptomics
- Vaccine development and testing
- Antiviral drug screening
Area of Interest
The primary focus of my research is mosquito-borne flaviviruses (e.g. JEV, MVEV) and alphaviruses (e.g. CHIKV, RRV).
Professional Associations
Australasian Virology Society
Funding
NHMRC Ideas Grant. Virus restriction-guided drug target discovery for chikungunya virus. CIA D Rawle. $1,041,471. 2025-2027.
NHMRC Targeted Call for Research: Climate-related health impacts and effective interventions to improve health outcomes. The Impact of Climate on Vector-Borne Zoonoses in Australia: Changing transmission Pathways and Increased Spill-Over Risks. CIA G Devine. CIE D Rawle. $999,837.
Brazil Family Foundation special purpose donation. Responding to the unprecedented Japanese Encephalitis virus outbreak in Australia. CIA D Rawle. $500,000. 2023-2028.
Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre (AIDRC) Seed Grant. Harnessing the power of single-cell transcriptomics to understand the mechanism of flavivirus encephalitis. Co-CIA D Rawle. $50,000. 2024-2025.
Queensland Immunology Research Centre Seed Grant. Development of pan-alphavirus antiviral antibody therapy. Co-CIA D Rawle. $25,000. 2025.
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Virus restriction-guided drug target discovery for chikungunya virus
Identification of critical JEV-host interactions that drive infection of human neurons.
Identification of the molecular events that distinguish lethal versus non-lethal JEV encephalitis.
Key Publications
Yan K, Dumenil T, Stewart S, Bishop CB, Tang B, Nguyen W, Suhrbier A, Rawle DJ. TMEM106B-mediated SARS-CoV-2 infection allows for robust ACE2-independent infection in vitro but not in vivo. Cell Reports. 2024 Oct 30;43(11):114921.
Nguyen W, Gyawali N, Stewart R, Tang B, Cox AL, Yan K, Larcher T, Bishop C, Wood N, Devine GJ, Suhrbier A*, Rawle DJ*. Characterisation of a Japanese Encephalitis virus genotype 4 isolate from the 2022 Australian outbreak. npj Viruses. 2024. Volume 2, Article 15.
Harrison JJ, Nguyen W, Morgan MS, Tang B, Haburagira G, Malmanche H, Freney ME, Modhiran N, Watterson D, Cox AL, Yan K, Yuen NKY, Bowman D, Kirkland P, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Suhrbier A, Hall RA, Rawle DJ*, Hobson-Peters J*. A chimeric vaccine displaying the prM-E proteins of the Australian genotype IV strain of Japanese encephalitis virus protects mice against lethal challenge. npj Vaccines. 2024 (accepted). *co-senior