Joyce Jose

Joyce Jose is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of alphavirus and flavivirus replication, assembly, and host interactions. She utilizes advanced microscopy techniques and structural biology approaches to study viral pathogenesis and transmission in mammalian and vector systems. Dr. Jose holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Madurai Kamaraj University (India) and completed postdoctoral training at Purdue University.

Education:

• M.Sc., School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, India
• Ph.D., School of Biotechnology, Madurai Kamaraj University, India
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Purdue University, Indiana

Research Interests: Virus-host interactions in alphaviruses and flaviviruses, structural biology of viral replication complexes, neurotropism mechanisms, and vector-pathogen adaptation. Her lab investigates cytoskeletal modifications during viral infection, using BSL-3 pathogens such as West Nile, dengue, and Zika viruses. Key themes include viral RNA packaging, budding mechanisms, and antiviral target discovery.

Research Highlights: The lab's work spans live-cell imaging of viral replication factories, super-resolution microscopy of viral assembly, and functional studies of viral ion channels (e.g., alphavirus 6K). Recent projects explore Zika virus transmission via tunneling nanotubes in placental cells and the role of flavivirus NS1 proteins in immune evasion.

Labs/Teams: Jose Lab at Penn State, collaborating with the Pell Lab for BSL-3 research on tick-borne flaviviruses like Powassan virus. Active in developing antiviral strategies targeting viral ion channels and assembly pathways.