Washington University in St Louis · Microbiology & ImmunologyVirus Entry and Therapeutics Lab
Sean Pj Whelan · Saint Louis, Missouri
Research Focus
Dr. Sean Pj Whelan's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, enters cells and how to block this process to develop effective therapeutics. The lab employs advanced imaging techniques and genetic screening to map the viral entry pathways and identify host proteins that the virus hijacks during infection. Their research aims to uncover new therapeutic targets while also evaluating the effectiveness of current clinical interventions against the virus.
SARS-CoV-2viral entrytherapeuticsmonoclonal antibodiesgenetic screening
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 enters cells.
AIM 02Identify host factors that facilitate SARS-CoV-2 entry.
AIM 03Test the effectiveness of therapeutics in blocking viral entry.
AIM 04Map the entry pathways used by SARS-CoV-2.
AIM 05Uncover new potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Skills the Lab Values
single virion imagingfluorescence microscopyCRISPR screeningcell cultureprotease assays
Output against the department
Publications246top 24% of dept.115th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations29ktop 11% of dept.53rd of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.