Biography
Dr. Baker received a BS degree from SUNY Buffalo in Biochemical Pharmacology minoring in Medicinal Chemistry (2007). After working as a technician in the lab of Tim Mossman, he then earned a PhD from the University of Rochester in Microbiology & Immunology mentored by Dr. Luis Mart¡nez-Sobrido (2015). Dr. Baker completed his postdoctoral training with Dr. Andy Mehle at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2021).
Personal Statement
The Baker lab seeks to understand the interplay of viruses and their host cells during infection. In particular, we're interested in how host alternative RNA splicing licenses proteins for either proviral or antiviral function. Although virus-host interactions have been widely studied over the past several decades, little remains known on the impact of RNA splicing due to prior technological limitations. Improving our knowledge within this domain can lead to novel therapies to mitigate viral and inflammatory disease. We use a variety of genome-wide screening, long-and short-read RNA-sequencing, and molecular and biochemical approaches to identify and then characterize these surreptitious events in the context of influenza virus infection. Our laboratory is staffed by curious and driven individuals with broad backgrounds unified by an ethic of working hard, having fun, and pushing the envelope.
Key Publications
Journal Article
Mann, J, T Riley, B, A Baker, Steve, 2023 All differential on the splicing front: Host alternative splicing alters the landscape of virus-host conflict. Seminars in cell & developmental biology, vol. 146
Journal Article
Baker, Steve, Meistermann, H, Tzouros, M, Baker, A, Golling, S, Polster, J, S Ledwith, M, P Gitter, A, Augustin, A, Javanbakht, H, Mehle, A, 2022 Alternative splicing liberates a cryptic cytoplasmic isoform of mitochondrial MECR that antagonizes influenza virus. PLoS biology, vol. 20, Issue 12, e3001934
Journal Article
Baker, Steve, Ledwith, M, P Mehle, A, 2018 Differential Splicing of ANP32A in Birds Alters Its Ability to Stimulate RNA Synthesis by Restricted Influenza Polymerase. Cell reports, vol. 24, Issue 10, 2581-2588.e4
Journal Article
Baker, Steve, Nogales, A, Finch, C, Tuffy, K, M Domm, W, Perez, D, R Topham, D, J Mart¡nez-Sobrido, L, 2014 Influenza A and B virus intertypic reassortment through compatible viral packaging signals. Journal of virology, vol. 88, Issue 18, 10778-91
Gender
Male
Languages
- English