Permanent Private Room available for Female  in 2BHK Townhouse@ Westland Gardens

Immediate move-in.

Rent is 636$ +BGE +Wifi

Its a 2BHK townhouse is fully furnished and includes:

• Spacious living room with sofa

• Kitchen with oven, microwave, fridge, and dishwasher

• In-unit washer and dryer

• Dining table with chairs

• Central heating and cooling

Location perks:

• 1-minute walk to the UMBC bus stop

• 10-minute walk to UMBC campus

Message for details: +1 (443) 703-6282

Permanent Private Room for Female  in Townhouse@ Westland Gardens

Immediate move-in.

Rent is 636$ +BGE +Wifi

Its a 2BHK townhouse is fully furnished and includes:

• Spacious living room with sofa

• Kitchen with oven, microwave, fridge, and dishwasher

• In-unit washer and dryer

• Dining table with chairs

• Central heating and cooling

Location perks:

• 1-minute walk to the UMBC bus stop

• 10-minute walk to UMBC campus

Message for details: +1 (443) 703-6282

A study out of UMBC, published in Nature Communications, reveals how enteroviruses—including pathogens that cause polio, encephalitis, myocarditis, and the common cold—initiate replication by hijacking host-cell machinery. The research fills a knowledge gap on this critical step and could pave the way for a new class of antiviral drugs that are effective against multiple viruses.

“My lab has been really motivated to understand how RNA viruses produce their proteins inside the cell and multiply their genome to make more virus particles,” says senior author Deepak Koirala, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Building on his group’s discovery of a crucial cloverleaf structure in the viral RNA, their latest paper, led by first author Naba Krishna Das, Ph.D. ’25, chemistry, has now shown how the cloverleaf recruits proteins to assemble the replication complex. 

Seeing the bigger picture

Enteroviruses carry a small RNA genome that must do double duty: make viral proteins and copy itself to produce new viruses. A key player is a viral protein called 3CD. One half (3C) cuts the complete string of amino acids encoded by the virus’s RNA into individual proteins. The other half (3D) is an RNA polymerase—the enzyme that copies the viral RNA. Human cells don’t have anything like this polymerase, so the virus has to bring its own.

“We previously determined the structure of the RNA alone, and other groups determined the structure of 3C and 3D separately, but now we’ve captured the structure of the RNA and proteins together, so we know how they are interacting,” Koirala explains. “We found that it’s the 3C domain of 3CD that binds to the viral RNA, and then it recruits the other components to assemble the replication complex.”

The same complex also works as an on-off switch: when 3CD is attached, the virus copies its RNA; when it lets go, the RNA can be read to make proteins instead.

The team also settled a debate by showing that two complete 3CD molecules (bringing two RNA polymerases) bind to the RNA independently, rather than forming a single fused pair. Why two are needed is still a mystery, but the picture is now clear.

New antiviral targets

Perhaps most exciting, the seven types of enteroviruses the paper investigated all employed a very similar binding mechanism and RNA cloverleaf structure. The extent of this conservation implies the RNA cloverleaf is very important for replication, and any mutations would likely derail it. That means the RNA and RNA-protein interface is likely to be stable over time across enteroviruses, making it an even more promising drug target—and opening the door to the tantalizing prospect of a “universal” drug targeting all enteroviruses. 

Drugs disrupting 3C and 3D activity are already in development, but “now we have another layer to test,” Koirala says. “What if we target the RNA, or the RNA-protein interface, so that we break the interaction? That is another opportunity. Now that we have high-resolution structures, you can precisely design drug molecules to target them.”

“Viruses are so, so clever. Their entire genome is equivalent to about one mRNA sequence in humans, yet they are so effective,” Koirala says. His latest work demonstrates “why we need to investigate this basic science—so that it can be translated into developing drugs targeting pathogens that cause so many harmful diseases.” 

If you spend part of your day commuting — on the bus, in the car, or walking across campus — why not make that time as productive as possible? Your commute is the perfect opportunity to learn something new, reflect on your goals, and get inspired for your next career move. Check out UMBC Careers Unleashed, the Career Center's podcast. With 840 YouTube video views on average, our episodes are designed to help you explore career paths, learn professional skills, and hear real stories from students, employers, and career experts.

1. Listen and Learn on the Go

Each episode dives into topics that matter to UMBC students — from building your resume and cover letter to learning what recruiters want. You'll hear insights from Career Center staff, academic advisors, and fellow students who have been exactly where you are now. Think of it as your portable career coach!

2. Watch Career Shorts for Quick Tips

Short on time? The UMBC Careers Unleashed Shorts on YouTube feature bite-sized advice on resumes, networking, interviews, and more. In just a minute or two, you can pick up a new strategy to apply right away. Our shorts also get the most reach, capturing 87% of the pod's viewership. 

3. Reflect, Don't Just Listen

As you listen, jot down ideas or moments that resonate with you. Maybe you'll hear about a new field you want to explore or a skill you'd like to develop. The best podcasts don't just inform — they inspire action. Feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our career advisors to discuss what you learned and figure out next steps.

4. Make It a Habit

Set a weekly "career commute" goal. Pick one episode each week, or a few shorts during the month, and reflect on one key takeaway. Then, come up with an action plan on how to use that takeaway to your advantage over the next semester or academic year. Over time, these small moments of learning can make a big difference in your professional growth.

5. Start Listening Today

No matter where your day takes you, you can keep your career goals in motion. Tune in to UMBC Careers Unleashed wherever you get your podcasts and make your commute an impactful one.