Lauren Varanese
About Lauren Varanese
I am a graduate student at Stanford University in Jan Carette's lab. I use CRISPR to study host factors that are important for infection by reovirus and RSV. I study cellular biology to learn more about the function of these host factors with and without infection. Additionally, I am interested in using prime editing to make clinically relevant mutations to host proteins and determining the effect on viral infections. For my undergrad, I majored in biochemistry at Tufts University and worked the Kritzer lab. My project involved synthesizing and bis-alkylating polypeptides using D-Cysteines, which could “lock” the peptide into certain secondary structures such as an alpha helix. The peptides are assayed with myeloid leukemia cell differentiation (MCL-1) protein, a protein known to bind to a helical peptide. I wanted to find a stapled peptide with a better binding affinity to MCL-1 than the linear peptide, as well as show the validity of D-Cysteines in peptide stapling. When not studying or working in the lab, I enjoy reading, playing board games, and dancing.