W. Allen Miller, PhD
W. Allen Miller, PhD
email: wamiller@iastate.edu
phone: 515-294-2436
Title(s)
Professor, Plant Pathology, Entomology & Microbiology; Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology; Iowa State University
Office
4205 ATRB
2213 Pammel Drive
Ames, IA 50011-1020
Information
Education
BA, Biology (with Distinction) Carleton College
PhD, Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Scientist, Plant virus genome sequencing, CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, Australia, 1984 – 1988
Fulbright Fellow and Gutenberg Chair, Institute for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Strasbourg, France, 2012-2013
ISU Plant Sciences Institute Faculty Scholar, 2015 – present
Research interest: We investigate molecular mechanisms of RNA viruses, including translation of viral and host mRNAs, and the roles of noncoding viral RNAs. We study plant viruses, not only for their agricultural relevance, but as valuable models to help us understand medically important viruses. Indeed, we are applying this knowledge to the study of translation regulation by Zika virus, and also to improving mRNA vaccines (with the Verhoeven lab). In addition to potentially providing new tools to control infectious disease, this research reveals inner workings of the cell, in particular the process by which the genetic code is translated from RNA sequence into functional protein.