Dr. Miller’s research focuses on the interface between viruses and the cells they infect. Several projects in the laboratory focus on defining, at a molecular level, ways in which segmented double-stranded RNA viruses of the Reoviridae family commandeer cellular space and proteins to replicate their genomes, translate their proteins, and assemble into progeny virions. These projects focus on understanding the inner workings of distinct inclusion structures (termed viral factories) formed within the cellular cytoplasm during viral infection, and determining what drives the creation of these structures, and what role they play in regulation of viral RNA transcription, translation and replication during infection. Dr. Miller has also been a key player in the development of a novel protein-protein interaction technology utilizing the capacity of a single reovirus protein to form viral factory-like structures and recruit other proteins to these structures. A second project in the Miller laboratory is focused on utilizing this technology to identify and define new viral protein-protein interactions, and further, to screen for drugs or small molecules that can inhibit these interactions to identify potential anti-viral therapies. Dr. Miller’s laboratory is additionally involved in a number of projects examining the molecular mechanisms involved in influenza A virus pathogenicity and immunology in both swine and humans.

Molecular Virology

Graduate level course focused on the molecular mechanisms of viral growth and interactions between viruses and the infected host cell.  Offered every other fall.

1993, B.A., Microbiology, University of Missouri-Columbia

2001, Ph.D., Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri-Columbia

2001-2005, Post-doc, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School

Manuscripts

Miller, C. L. 2011. Stress Granules and Virus Replication. Future Virology, In press.

Qin, Q., Hastings, C., Kreger, K., and Miller, C. L. 2011. Mammalian Orthoreovirus escape  from host translational shutoff correlates with stress granule disruption and is independent of eIF2α phosphorylation and PKR.  Journal of Virology 85 (17): 8798-8810.

Firth, A. E.,  B. J. Blitvich, N. M. Wills, C. L. Miller, J. F. Atkins. 2010.  Evidence for ribosomal frameshifting and a novel overlapping gene in the genomes of insect specific flaviviruses. Virology 30;399(1):153-66.

Li, G, Y. Feng,, S.  Kariyawasam, K. A. Tivendale, Y. Wannemuehler, F. Zhou, C. L. Miller, C. M. Logue, and L. K. Nolan. 2010.  AatA is a novel autotransporter and virulence factor of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Infection and Immunity, 78.3: 898-906.

Miller, C. L., Arnold, M., Broering, T., Hastings, C., and Nibert, M.  2010.  Localization of mammalian orthoreovirus proteins to cytoplasmic factory-like structures via nonoverlapping regions of μNS.  Journal of Virology,  84 (2): 867-882. Co-corresponding author.

Qin, Q., Hastings, C., and Miller, C.  2009.  Mammalian orthoreovirus particles induce and are recruited to cellular stress granules. Journal of Virology, 83(21):11090-101.

Miller, C. L., M. M. Arnold, T. J. Broering, J. Kim, J. B. Dinoso, and M. L. Nibert. 2007.  A virus-derived platform for easily visualizing protein-protein associations in cells. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 6: 1027 – 1038.  Co-corresponding author.  Cover illustration.

Abstracts

Gupta, P. and Miller, C. 2011. Investigation of the impact of mammalian orthoreovirus infection on hypoxic cancer cells. American Society for Virology 30th Annual Meeting, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, July 16-20. Oral Presentation.

Buehler, J., McCullough, D., Kohns, C., Loving, C., Lorusso, A. Vincent, A., Lager, K., and Miller, C. 2011. Characterization of swine influenza virus PB1-F2 properties in swine and human cells. American Society for Virology 30th Annual Meeting, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, July 16-20. Oral Presentation.

Qin, Q., Hastings, C., and Miller, C.  2010.  Disruption of Stress Granules is Important for Mammalian Orthoreovirus Escape from Host Translational Shutoff.  RNA in Motion   Symposium, Sept. 9-12, Ames, IA.  Poster presentation.

Miller, A. G., Gupta, P., and Miller, C.  2010.  Investigation of the impact of mammalian orthoreovirus infection on hypoxic tumor cells.  10th Annual Merial-NIH National Veterinary Scholars Symposium.  Athens, GA, August 5-8.  Poster Presentation.  Poster Award, 1 of 6 from 87 posters.
 
Cutler TD, Hoff SJ, Wang C, Warren KJ, Zhou F, Qin Q, Miller C, Ridpath JF, Yoon K-J, Zimmerman J.  September 2010.  Inactivación de agents patógenos virales seleccionados mediante luz ultravioleta (UV254).  XXII Congreso Panamericano de Ciencias Veterinarias.  Lima, Peru.

Qin Q., Gupta, P, Hastings, C., and Miller, C. L. 2010.  Mammalian orthoreovirus translation  is refractory to phosphorylation of eIF2α caused by oxidative stress or hypoxia. American Society for Virology 29th Annual Meeting, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, July 17-21. Oral Presentation.

Buehler, J., McCullough, D., Loving, C., Vincent, A., Lager, K., and Miller, C.  2010. Investigation of the function of the influenza A virus PB1-F2 protein during infection of swine and human cells with a predominant circulating strain. American Society for Virology 29th Annual Meeting, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, July 17-21. Poster Presentation.

Qin, Q., Hastings, C., and Miller, C.  2010.  Disruption of Stress Granules is Important for Mammalian Orthoreovirus Escape from Host Translational Shutoff.  Keystone Symposium on Cell Biology of Virus Entry, Replication, and Pathogenesis.  Feb. 17-21, Taos, NM. Poster presentation

Cutler T, Hoff S, Wang C, Warren K, Zhou F, Qin Q, Miller C, Ridpath J, Yoon K-J, Zimmerman J.  October 2009.  UV254 Inactivation of Selected Viral Pathogens.  52st Annual Conference, American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.  San Diego, California, p. 124. Oral presentation.

Cutler TD, Hoff SJ, Wang C, Warren KJ, Zhou F, Qin Q, Miller C, Ridpath JF, Yoon K-J, Zimmerman J.  December 2009.  UV254 inactivation of selected viral pathogens.   Proc 2009 International PRRS Symposium.  Chicago, Illinois, p 66. Poster presentation.

Jason Buehler, Eileen Thacker, Kelly Lager, Cathy Miller, and Bruce Janke.  Serologic detection of H5 Influenza virus infection in swine using ELISA techniques.  The 5th International Veterinary Vaccines and Diagnostics Conference.  July 19-23, Madison WI.  Oral and Poster Presentation.

Qingsong Qin, Craig Hastings, and Cathy L. Miller.  Mammalian orthoreovirus infection interferes with stress granule formation.  American Society of Virology 27th Annual Meeting, July12-16, 2008, Ithaca, New York.  Poster presentation.

Associate Chair, Interdepartmental Microbiology Program

1995-1996 Donald K. Anderson Teaching Award University of Missouri-Columbia Medical School

1995-1999 Pre-doctoral Fellow, NIH, NIAID Institutional NRSA Training Grant Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

2001-2002 Ernst Postdoctoral Fellow Harvard Medical School

2002-2003 Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH, NIAID Institutional NRSA Training Grant Infectious Disease and Basic Microbiological Mechanisms Harvard Medical School

2003-2005 Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH, NIAID Individual NRSA Training Grant Harvard Medical School

2006-2008 Principal Investigator, NIH, NIAID Career Development Award Iowa State University

2008-2011 Principal Investigator, The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust Medical and Scientific Research Grant

2008-2011 Principal Investigator, USDA Specific Cooperative Agreement 58-3625-8-712

2009-2011 Principal Investigator, Iowa Pork Board Research Grant

2010-2013 Principal Investigator, NIH NIAID R15AI090635 Research Grant

2010-2013 Principal Investigator, USDA Specific Cooperative Agreement 58-3625-0-650 

2001-Present American Society for Virology, Associate Member

2005-Present American Association for the Advancement of Science

2008-Present American Society for Microbiology