The Single Virion Biology and Biophysics Unit (SVBBU) investigates the molecular mechanisms of viral cell entry and progeny particle assembly. We combine molecular virology, in vitro reconstitution, biophysics, and quantitative cell biology to answer difficult-to-tackle mechanistic questions in virology and build upon those discoveries to ultimately enable prediction and prevention of undesirable viral adaptation. Our work spans diverse viral pathogens and/or their model systems, such as influenza virus, Ebola virus, coronavirus, reovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and measles virus.

Single Virion Biology and Biophysics Unit, 2023. Left to right: Nick Berg, Predoctoral IRTA Fellow (October 2023), Ava Altenbern, Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow, Tijana Ivanovic, Senior Investigator, Ed Partlow, Postdoctoral Fellow, Anna Jaeggi-Wong, Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow, Steven Planitzer, Predoctoral IRTA Fellow.
Tijana Ivanovic, Ph.D. (She/Her/Hers)
Tenure-Track Investigator, NIH Distinguished Scholar
Chief, Single Virion Biology and Biophysics Unit
Education:
Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015, Harvard University
Ph.D., Virology, 2008, Harvard University
B.S., Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 1999, University of California, Los Angeles

Ava Lorraine Altenbern, B.A. (She/Her/Hers)
Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow
Education:
B.A., Biochemistry and Art History, 2023, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO

Anna Jaeggi-Wong, B.S. (She/Her/Hers)
Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow
Education:
B.S., Biochemistry and Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Languages Spoken: German

Ed A. Partlow III, Ph.D. (He/Him/His)
Postdoctoral Fellow
Education:
Ph.D., 2022, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Steven D. Planitzer, B.S. (He/Him/His)
Predoctoral IRTA Fellow (Doctoral Candidate: Brandeis University)
Education:
B.S., Physics, 2019, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Languages Spoken: Spanish
