The Sheppard Lab investigates the molecular biology of RNA viruses, with a focus on the viral RNA polymerases—critical enzymes responsible for genome replication and gene expression. The lab explores how these viral polymerases are regulated by host cell proteins, aiming to uncover fundamental mechanisms of host–pathogen interactions. By dissecting the host factors that support or restrict viral polymerase activity, we aim to identify novel targets for the development of host-directed antiviral strategies.

If you are interested in RNA viruses, RNA polymerases, or mechanisms of host–virus interactions and anti-viral development then please feel free to get in touch!

Lab members:

Dr Lydia Newton - Postdoctoral research associate
Kyla Edelmeier - Research technician

Isaac Yao - MSc MBPV research student

Sammy Kim - MRes Molecular and Cellular Biosciences student 


Former lab members:

Shipra Nagtode - MSc MBPV research student
Ewa Brzuchacz - BSc UROP research student

Funding:

MRC New Investigator Research Grant – "Unveiling host drivers of influenza polymerase activity."
Lead investigator, September 2025 for 3 years.

Houghton Trust Vacation Studentship – "Engineering influenza resistance: Assessing ANP32-edited chicken cells."
Lead investigator, July 2025 for 8 weeks.

BBSRC Follow-on Fund – “Genome edited flu free chickens for healthier poultry farming.”
Research lead, October 2024 for 18 months.

Industrial funding from Cobb-Vantress – “Discovery and robust testing of ANP32 mutations that render influenza polymerase inactive, for generation of gene-edited chickens resistant to Influenza infection.”
Co-investigator, June 2024 for 3 months.

UKRI-Impact Acceleration Award – “Discovering specific mutations that abrogate the support of ANP32 proteins for influenza polymerase, for generating robustly influenza-resistant gene-edited chickens.”
Co-investigator, October 2023 for 12 months.

Imperial Seeds for Success – "The influenza RNA polymerase host protein interactome".
Lead investigator, May 2022 for 12 months.